I’m not like Sir Alex or Arsene

LOUIS VAN GAAL believes he is a different managerial animal to Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United boss Van Gaal says his constant thirst for a new challenge has seen him move around far more in his career than either Wenger, who celebrated 19 years as Arsenal boss yesterday, or Ferguson, who spent 26 and a half years at Old Trafford .

Van Gaal’s longest tenure as a manager was six years at Ajax. Since then, he has had two spells with Barcelona, others with AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, plus two stints in charge of the Dutch national team.

But having earlier in the week hinted he might extend his stay at Old Trafford, yesterday the 64- year- old reiterated that United will be his last job and he will retire at the end of his three- year contract the summer of 2017.

He said: “Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson are other types . I like challenges and I always want more, so it’s also dependent on your character and what you want to do.

“I have always set my aims in advance. I shall retire after this job. I always do what I have said I’m going to do.”

Van Gaal also took the time to pay tribute to Chris Smalling and

in Ashley Young as the unheralded stars in United’s rise to the top of the Premier League.

Both players have earned new contracts from Van Gaal, who said: “Ashley’s very important. He is always thinking of the team and he can play in a lot of positions. For a manager, it is fantastic that he’s willing to do that.

“Chris has done everything himself. It’s the greatest compliment you can give him.”