Robin van Persie has told Manchester United’s players they have “no excuses” for failing to get to grips with the new manager Louis van Gaal’s system and says the team must adapt fast.

The Dutchman has introduced a 3-5-2 formation since taking over at Old Trafford this summer, with the team so far struggling to make it work having managed only two draws and a defeat in their opening three Premier League games.

But the United striker Van Persie, who played in the same system under Van Gaal with Holland at the World Cup, reckons it is the players who have been at fault.

“It’s plain and simple,” Van Persie said. “The manager chooses his tactics. We, the players, have nothing else to do than to execute what the manager has in his mind.

“Tactics and formation are matters for the manager and his staff, not something the players must get involved in. We, the players, have not been educated as coaches. We are players, we play. I don’t think we should even want to get involved in tactical discussions.

“As captain of Holland I may have the right to get involved in tactical discussions, but even there I choose not to. Whether it is 4-3-3, 3-5-2, nothing can be an excuse for another defeat. We have to adapt to every manager. There’s not one way or method in football.”