Manchester United defender Phil Jones insists boss Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation will pay dividends.

Van Gaal is yet to secure a competitive victory since taking charge at Old Trafford and some pundits have suggested the Dutchman may need to alter his tactics if United are to get back to winning ways.

Van Gaal used the same formation with the Netherlands at the World Cup earlier this summer as they reached the semi-finals, and Jones is convinced the system will work in the Premier League.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “I personally enjoy the system. When everyone is working well together and knows what they should be doing on the pitch then it certainly works and is very difficult for teams to play against. I think the more we train and play, the more people understand their role on the pitch.”

United have managed just two points and two goals in their three Premier League games to date, having lost to Swansea and drawn with Sunderland and Burnley.

The Premier League giants also suffered a demoralising 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat at MK Dons and they will be desperate to get back to winning ways after the international break.

However, van Gaal did manage to significantly strengthen his squad during the summer with the captures of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao, with the latter yet to make his debut for the club after arriving on transfer deadline day.

United host QPR on Sunday in their next Premier League fixture and they are 1.24 to secure the win, or 17.00 to win the Premier League outright.