Van can steer United to title Barca chief backs him
LOUIS VAN GAAL has been backed to turn Manchester United into champions again.
New Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu believes the Dutchman has the qualities needed to bring the good times back to Old Trafford.
Van Gaal had two spells at the Nou Camp and is still hugely respected by the Spanish giants.
He will face his former club today when United take on the European champions in the International Champions Cup in San Francisco.
Bartomeu says Van Gaal was the right appointment for the Red Devils.
He insists Van Gaal gets the best from his stars and is prepared to give youth a chance – like he did at Barca when he promoted Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes, who all went on to become Nou Camp legends.
Bartomeu said: “It was a good move. We know Louis very well. We know how strong, intelligent and clever he is, how he gets the best that is possible from his players.
“One of our best players of the past 15 years, Xavi, was brought through by Van Gaal. He put Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta and others into the first team.
“Van Gaal did something good by having a lot of confidence in the youth players of our academy at ‘La Masia’.
“He used them a lot and he was right because for the last 12 or 15 years those players have been the best players in our team.”
Bartomeu says United will challenge in the Champions League again this season and wants Barca to beat them in today’s clash to strike a psychological blow.
He has also warned Old Trafford bosses that Pedro’s £22m release clause must be met if United want to sign the unsettled Barca star.
He added: “United are going to be one of the top clubs this year, I’m sure. But if someone wants one of our players, the release clause must be met.
“So far no one has made an offer, so we are calm. We want to keep our squad together and Pedro is an important member of that squad.” Bartomeu was speaking at the launch of FC Barcelona’s partnership with globalcitizen.org and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to collaborate to end extreme poverty by the year 2030.