Van Gaal isn’t convinced his side can cut it
CHRIS WHEELER
HAVING s pent 14 months and nearly £300million at Manchester United, Loui s van Gaal returned to Holland last night and admitted he has no idea if his team are good enough to compete for the Champions League title.
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 with Ajax two decades ago.
United open their Group B campaign tonight against PSV Eindhoven in the Philips Stadion, where van Gaal was asked what supporters can expect from their team in Europe. ‘The fans will see a Manchester United side who fight for their 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. We have to wait and see because the Champions League is a higher l evel than the Premier League.’
Van Gaal’s caution is well-founded considering his track record here. He won only two of his 10 league games at this ground as coach of Ajax and AZ Alkmaar. Perhaps more worryingly for 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 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 Holland yesterday without captain Wayne Rooney, who r emains sidelined by a hamstring injury. Striker James Wilson was added to the travelling party as back-up.
Van Gaal would not be drawn on what r ole £ 58million si gning 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 here. But he made a g ood 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 returns to PSV tonight 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 round 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 i n his absence and he admitted last night that he still has much to work on at domestic level.
‘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 games.
‘When I played for the first time here I was very young, so I will think about that when I train here, but then 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.
‘Every player needs time to get used to 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 then he’ll pick it up very fast.’