UNITED FAILED TO SIGN MY LIST OF GAALSCORERS
LVG has dig at Woodward’s inability to sign his wish-list saying: We couldn’t bring in ANY of my top targets.. but players ended up at City and Chelsea.. VERY ODD
BAYERN MUNICH hotshot Robert Lewandowski could have been banging in goals for Manchester United had Louis Van Gaal got his way during his time in charge.
The Poland goal machine was one of a galaxy of stars on Van Gaal’s hit-list during his spell at Old Trafford.
He also tried to sign Brazil superstar Neymar, who lost out to Lewandowski as Bayern beat Paris Saint-german in Sunday’s Champions League Final.
The Dutchman, sacked two days after winning the FA Cup in 2016, claims he had lined up some of Europe’s biggest names in his bid to bring the glory days back to United – only for the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to miss out on them all.
Among others Van Gaal tried to sign were Gonzalo Higuain, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez.
Recalling his time in England, the 69-year-old’s wish-list reads like a Who’s Who of football.
“I wanted Lewandowski, but when this proved difficult I tried to get
Higuain instead,” said LVG. “Before I had arrived, I also spoke to the board about Neymar.
“If you are at United, you have to think big. He was also interesting for the club in terms of selling shirts and I wanted quick wingers. For that reason, I also tried to get Mane and Mahrez.
“Thomas Muller was on my list, too, and in central midfield, I wanted N’golo Kante.
“I even tried to sign James Milner, who was already quite old, but very multi-functional and possessed leadership skills. For the defence, I wanted Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummel because ours wasn’t the strongest in building from the back.”
And in a thinly-veiled swipe at Woodward, Van Gaal revealed he is still mystified why none of those players joined the club.
“Those were my top targets, but we couldn’t get any of them,” he added.
“I don’t know why because as the manager, I wasn’t involved in any negotiations. After I left, players like Mahrez and Kante ended up at
Manchester City and Chelsea, while United couldn’t get them. I found that very odd.”
Despite ex-reds star Wayne Rooney rating LVG as the best coach he ever worked with, the former Netherlands and Barcelona boss struggled to find the winning formula at United.
And he is still bitter at his sacking, in particular the manner of it, revealing he was not aware he would be fired even after United’s Wembley win over Crystal Palace.
“Later that evening, we had a party to celebrate, although none of the directors were present which was obviously very odd,” he said.
“The next day, when I had arrived home, they asked if we could meet at my house. Only then did Woodward tell me I had to leave.
“My wife already had a hunch in December – she felt that something had changed in the relationship. But I couldn’t believe it as we kept having the same kind of conversations as before.”