Will restore the United DNA
Under David Moyes, United went back to the Stone Age and lacked any real identity to their play. But with Van Gaal, a man known for his progressive, possession football, the Red Devils will go back to the fast, free-flowing, attacking football that characterized United for so long.
One of Van Gaals’s biggest strength is his unrelenting pursuit of perfection. Something that United fans know all too well having been managed by Sir Alex for over two decades. The Dutchman will bring along with him a similar ruthlessness and demands respect on the football pitch. He once said “Running is for animals. You need a brain and a ball for football.” So you can expect some intelligent passing and movement from the Red Devils, whose work rate and general play will also be back to where it once was.
Tactical flexibility
The Dutchman firmly believes that training must be “attacking, technical and tactical” and that you “have to play as a team and not as individuals.” Although Van Gaal’s preferred formation with his four previous clubs was 4-3-3, he is more than willing to adapt to the situation. He is highly flexible and firmly believes in making the most of the players at his disposal and in playing the style that can help achieve that.
So you can finally expect United to let go of their outdated 4-4-2/ 4-2-3-1 formation and employing a much flexible and attacking shape. But, one thing is for sure, irrespective of the shape, his philosophy is always to take the game to his opponents and dominate the ball. Something which will be music to the ears of United fans all over the world.
Fascinating interviews
After the drama and the excitement of the Ferguson era, David Moyes’ tenure as United boss dampened the excitement quite a bit. It was not during the game, but after the game as well, the interviews weren’t nearly as exciting as it was under Ferguson. Moyes’ natural air of caution surrounded every word he uttered and lacked the charisma needed, to become a United manager.
If charisma is what United were looking for, then they certainly got the right man for the job. For all of his flaws, if there is one thing that Van Gaal doesn’t lack, that is charisma. His sometimes eccentric personality means that he comes up with some absolute gems in the press conference. His arrogance and his honesty were in full flow, when he was giving his first press conference as Barcelona manager, when he claimed “I have achieved more with Ajax in six years than Barcelona has in one hundred years.” With him in charge, press conferences will be anything but dull.