Man Utd ‘more boring ‘ under Jose: Van Gaal
Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says the club have regressed and have become “more boring” under his successor Jose Mourinho.
Van Gaal, who was pilloried for his overlycautious approach during his two years at Old Trafford, says he would rather watch Manchester City than United.
He told Fox Sports in Holland: “If you ask me how did I do at United, I will say it was my best year ever, given the circumstances I was working under.
“We played football that was quite alright. But it’s not football that is appreciated in England.
“And yet, right now, looking at United, I have to conclude Mourinho is not being criticized while it’s far more boring football.
“I would rather watch City play than United. You need quality in a squad and it’s clear City have a better squad.
“What United produce now is defensive football. I always played attacking football. The proof is that the opposition were always parking the bus.
“They don’t do that now because Jose Mourinho plays so defensive.”
Van Gaal was sacked by United just two days after winning his only trophy for the club, the FA Cup in 2016.
The Dutchman admits he still bears a grudge towards United chief executive Ed Woodward over the manner of his dismissal. He said: “He (Woodward) never discussed anything with me - and you can talk about anything with me.
“With all my experience, I know the unwritten laws of football. A club has to prepare for the future.-BBC Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League while Tottenham will face Italian champions Juventus.
Premier League leaders Manchester City will play Switzerland’s Basel, Manchester United face La Liga side Sevilla and Liverpool take on Portugal’s Porto. Holders Real Madrid will face Paris St-Germain.
A record five English teams progressed from the group stage this season. Chelsea were the only English team to make it through as runners-up, with the other four sides all topping their respective groups. The Blues have arguably been handed the most difficult tie, and it comes days after boss Antonio Conte conceded that their Premier League title defence was over following their defeat by West Ham, which left them 14 points adrift of Manchester City.
The group winners will be away in the round of 16 first legs on 13/14 and 20/21 February, and at home in the return matches on 6/7 and 13/14 March.
The final will take place in Kiev on 26 May.
Champions League last-16 draw Juventus v Tottenham (13 Feb, March 7); Basel v Manchester City (13 Feb and 7 March); Porto v Liverpool (14 Feb and 6 March); Sevilla v Manchester United (21 Feb and 13 March); Real Madrid v PSG (14 Feb and 6 March); Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma (21 Feb and 13 March); Chelsea v Barcelona (20 Feb and 14 March); Bayern Munich v Besiktas (20 Feb and 14 March). -BBC Sports