Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that Ashley Young was used as a striker away at Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon because he "wanted more running in behind".

Teenager Marcus Rashford led the attack during the first half at White Hart Lane, but he was replaced at the break in favour of the fit-again Young.

Thirty-year-old Young has been played in a variety of positions since Van Gaal took charge of United in 2014, although he has never previously operated as the lone forward.

Asked why he had opted to do so on this occasion, Van Gaal told Sky Sports News: "I wanted more running in behind because, in the first half, we didn't have an attacking point and that is the reason."

The Red Devils went on to lose the game 3-0 with just one of their five shots landing on target.