Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has now hit back at criticism from Paul Scholes that his side are dull by saying, “Sticks and stones will hurt my bones but names will never hurt me!” The Old Trafford legend had previously complained about a ‘lack of risk and creativity’ that the Red Devils were showing, adding that he would not like to play in the current United side, whose last two matches were goalless draws.
Despite such comments, the Dutchman insisted that his side do take risks and entertain and accused the former England international of making such harsh comments as is being paid by the media.
Van Gaal stated, “He (Scholes) doesn’t have the responsibility, so he can say everything. Why is he saying something? For the benefit of the club or the benefit of himself? I don’t want to defend myself because I cannot defend because he is a legend and he has a lot of reasons, so I hear. I think when you are a legend, you have to speak with the manager or his friend, Ryan Giggs, or Ed Woodward, but not this way, because he will be paid by the BBC or Sky. You have an expression. I always use Dutch expression, but you have a fantastic expression for that – sticks and stones can break my bones, but names [words] will never hurt me. Fantastic, fantastic expression. Do you understand the meaning of this? When Scholes thinks I should go, then I go. But it is not his responsibility, he is not the Glazers or Ed Woodward. I know when we shall lose and lose and lose, I shall be finished, but I shall do everything for this club because, as I have already said, this club is unbelievable. I think Manchester United is always entertaining. I read also the papers and I see it [United’s 0-0 Capital One Cup draw with Middlesbrough] was boring, but I don’t think there are more spectators in another stadium than this ground. It’s also an aspect, that you play for the fans, therefore I say to you that the stadium is still full and that, in the Capital One Cup, is unbelievable. That is not normal, so they like the way we have played. I don’t know, because I cannot imagine how it is in other stadiums, because I have to work, but it is also a fantastic atmosphere, because of the fans of Middlesbrough, but also Manchester United, and they have supported the players fantastically. In spite of the defeat, when we were going to our dressing room, they were applauding. I have said that also last year, once or twice.”
He further added, “When you go out of the cup, the next day is always like that. As manager of Manchester United you know you’re going to have a hard time. But we are improving a lot. We got played off the pitch by MK Dons last year and now we are almost in the quarter-finals. I have to rotate because there are a lot of matches on in a week and the players can’t recover. Last year we had 13 points from 10 games and now we have 20 points from 10 games, and the next round of the Capital One Cup and we are in the Champions League. Last year it was not like that.“