VAN GAAL ISN’T A
Louis has no idea if United can challenge despite £300m spree
HAVING s pent 14 months and nearly £300million at Manchester United, Loui s van Gaal returned to Holland l ast night and admitted that he has no idea if his team are good enough to compete for the Champions League.
Despite restoring United to Europe’s elite after a year in exile, Van Gaal is unsure whether his squad can be considered serious contenders for a trophy he won here with Ajax two decades ago.
United open their Group B campaign t onight a gai nst PSV Eindhoven in the Philips Stadion, where Van Gaal was asked what supporters can expect from their team in Europe. ‘The fans shall see a Manchester United who fight for its chances,’ he responded.
‘We have to show on the pitch if we are able to win matches at the highest level. That’s the challenge for us now. We have to show if we are able to play at this level. I don’t know [the answer]. We have to wait and see because the Champions League is a higher level than the Premier League.’
Van Gaal’s caution is well-founded considering his track record here. He won only two of 10 league games at this ground as coach of Ajax and AZ Alkmaar.
Perhaps more worryingly f or United, his star-studded Barcelona side finished bottom of their group when he last came up against Eindhoven in this competition two years after guiding Ajax to glory in 1995.
‘For me, it’s a difficult place,’ said Van Gaal, who confirmed that he was in the running to take over as PSV coach three years ago. ‘I didn’t win so much here. It’s a difficult ground. When I was manager of Barcelona I didn’t win here. And with Ajax I didn’t win so much.
‘But I was also a national coach [of Holland]. When I came here the people were very nice to me and wanted a picture of me, so I don’t think that’s bad.’
United landed in the Netherlands yesterday without captain Wayne Rooney, who remains sidelined by a hamstring injury. James Wilson was added to their travelling party as back-up for the forwards.
Van Gaal would not be drawn on what role £58m signing Anthony Martial, who scored a stunning debut goal off the bench against Liverpool on Saturday, might play.
He said: ‘I took only one day’s training after the match and it was a light session because we play tomorrow. But he made a good impression. I can only say that until now it is good.
‘For him, it’s the same as with Memphis Depay, you have to give him time. That’s what I am asking the fans as well, because he cannot change the market price.’
Depay is returning to PSV just three months after moving to Old Trafford in a £25m deal.
The 21-year-old has started every game for United since and scored a magnificent double against Bruges in the qualifying rounds to clinch a Champions League group place alongside his old club.
But he was hauled off at half-time against Liverpool at the weekend when United looked considerably better in his absence, and admitted last night that he still has much to work on in the Premier League.
‘I have learned a lot of things from PSV but the Premier League is on a different level,’ said Depay.
‘It’s a new experience for me so I still have to improve. I think my reaction [to being substituted] was good. I think about it and I’ll improve in training so I can do better in a game.
‘When I played for the first time here I was very young, so I will think about that when I train tonight, but tomorrow it’s different. I have respect for PSV but I play for Manchester United now.’
His old boss Phillip Cocu, who played under Van Gaal for Holland and Barcelona, is convinced Depay will prove to be a success in England.
‘Each player will need time to get used a league like the Premier League,’ said Cocu. ‘I am not surprised he is having ups and downs, but he is also a player who puts a lot of risk in his actions.
‘He will be good. Sometimes it will be difficult in the beginning, but in a few months he will get better and better.
‘He needs time to grow, like any new player, but he is very strong. He is also a quick learner. He will get time and pick it up very fast.’