Louis van Gaal says he sees Marouane Fellaini as more of a striker than a central midfielder this season.
The Belgian, who cost Manchester United £27.5 million when he joined from Everton in 2013, played the majority of his football in his first season at Old Trafford as a defensive midfielder.
But Van Gaal used him as a No. 10 at times last season, and after letting Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao leave he now believes Fellaini could lead the line.
He said in a news conference: "He can play in a No. 9 position and a No. 10. He can also play [as a No.] 6 [a holding midfielder] and [a No.] 8 [a box-to-box midfielder] but this year he shall play more 9 and 10 than 6 and 8 because there we have other players."
Van Gaal said on Saturday that his five striking options this season are captain Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, James Wilson, Adnan Januzaj and Fellaini.
The former Everton player added: "In the past I played No. 10 and No. 9 sometimes so I can play there and help my teammates and my team.
"It is not important where I play. It is important to win the game. Of course it is different to play midfield and striker but I enjoy all the positions I can play."
Fellaini has been suspended for the first three Premier League games of the campaign after he was sent off at Hull in May.
But he has been eligible in Europe and scored as a substitute in added time against Club Brugge last week and he could feature in the return leg in his home country on Wednesday.
David De Gea, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia were notable absentees from the 18-man United squad that Louis van Gaal announced on Tuesday.