Skip to content

Louis van Gaal's best quotes from his Manchester United tenure

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

From chanting his own name to calling a journalist fat, Louis van Gaal has an interesting relationship with the press

We look back at Louis van Gaal's Manchester United tenure, so far, in his own words.

Van Gaal's side go into their match against Chelsea live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Super Sunday looking to keep their season on track and there have been plenty of highs and lows for the Dutchman.

We go back to the very start and chronologically go through all of his best soundbites from his greatest successes against Liverpool to his lowest ebbs in the Champions League.

Live Ford Super Sunday

"I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are," Van Gaal at his first Manchester United press conference in May 2014.

Hiddink v Van Gaal
Hiddink v Van Gaal

Van Gaal's doesn't have a great record against Hiddink

"The most important difference is that I am training the players, not in the legs, but in the brain, in brain power," Van Gaal on his footballing philosophy in July 2014.

Van Gaal speaks to his players before a penalty shootout in July 2014 after a pre-season draw with Inter Milan
Image: Van Gaal speaks to his players before a penalty shootout in July 2014 after a pre-season draw with Inter Milan

"I have never had an experience when you lose or draw at home when they are applauding you. They were very important in my first six months," Van Gaal on the support of the Manchester United fans during his time at the club in December 2014.

"When you have 60 per cent ball possession do you think that you can do that with long balls?" The Manchester boss hits back at Sam Allardyce calling his side "long-ball United" and produces a four-page dossier which he hands to a journalist and says 'Give that to Big Sam' in February 2015.

Also See:

Louis van Gaal and Sam Allardyce had a dispute over Manchester United playing 'long ball' football
Image: Van Gaal and Sam Allardyce had a dispute over Manchester United playing 'long ball' football

"The fans are shouting every week, Louis van Gaal's army! Louis van Gaal's army!" Van Gaal at the same press February press conference when asked if the fans still support him after a 0-0 draw with West Ham.

"I cannot change that. I cannot change facts and you know that," Van Gaal's response when he was questioned on a return of just four goals in the Premier League from Radamel Falcao in March 2015.

Louis van Gaal's signing of Falcao on loan wasn't successful for Manchester United
Image: Van Gaal's signing of Radamel Falcao on loan wasn't successful for Manchester United

"Hello, Hello, pay attention to the manager," Van Gaal at the Manchester United end-of-season dinner awards. He also bellowed 'yes' when mentioning a Wayne Rooney team talk.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Van Gaal stole the show at the club's Player of the Year awards night

"I hope that we succeed but still we have to be aware that it's not like it's a piece of cake," Van Gaal warned his side after they qualified for the Champions League last season.

"When you are not willing to follow the principles of the philosophy, then there is only one way and that is out," Van Gaal on Victor Valdes refusing to play for Manchester United's U21 squad in July 2015.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has told Sky Sports News HQ in December the squad remain behind Van Gaal

"That's my philosophy, the players have to accept the captain - the first captain is Wayne Rooney, the second captain is Michael Carrick and last year the third captain was Mr. Mike Smalling, sorry, I mean Chris Smalling," Van Gaal calls Chris Smalling 'Mike' at a pre-season at July press conference before the start of this season.

"For me, Liverpool is a fantastic club. Because I have won every game against Liverpool," Van Gaal after his side's 3-1 win at Old Trafford in September 2015.

Louis van Gaal congratulated Anthony Martial after scoring on his debut against Liverpool
Image: Van Gaal congratulated Anthony Martial after scoring on his debut against Liverpool

"In the consistency, he has surprised me, but in terms of his ability, no. Because we have known already for a long time he can do it," Van Gaal's response in the same post-match interview when asked if Anthony Martial was value for money.

"Why is he saying something? Because of the benefit of the club, or the benefit of himself?" Van Gaal on Paul Scholes' criticism of his Manchester United side in October 2015.

"Of course I heard that, I'm not deaf. That's the opinion of the fans but afterwards they shall not be disappointed," Van Gaal on fans booing after Man United beat CSKA Moscow 1-0 in the Champions League.

Louis van Gaal looked concerned during Man United's narrow 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League
Image: Van Gaal looked concerned during Man United's narrow 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League

"I don't have any problems with players but sometimes they are out of the team because their competitor is in that moment in a better shape, but that doesn't mean that I have a quarrel with the player. It's a matter of form," Van Gaal on Memphis Depay not being selected with Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard preferred over the Dutch international in November 2015.

"When you see the facts, we went further in the Capital One Cup (than last season) and qualified for the Champions League group stage," Van Gaal in his press conference immediately after Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League.

Louis van Gaal looks dejected after Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League
Image: Van Gaal looks dejected after Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League

"The pressure was higher when I was starting out as a manager because I had more to lose then but, no, that doesn't affect my hunger or desire now because I don't want to finish my career with the club sacking me," Van Gaal admits his position could be untenable at Manchester United in December 2015.

"Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? That's what I am wondering. I think I was already sacked, I have read. Or have been sacked," the Manchester United boss ironically wishes the media Merry Christmas and tells them to 'enjoy their wine and a mince pie', two days before Christmas last year.

Man Utd stylish response
Man Utd stylish response

A win against Stoke helped soften the blow of City landing Pep.

"I was not hurt. You don't understand my message. My message is that the media are saying and writing things that does not conform with what is happening in Manchester United," Van Gaal hits out at the press again after his side's 2-0 defeat by Stoke last Boxing Day.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Van Gaal accused his players being scared to play football but admits it's proving difficult to restore the confidence

"There are matches that I have enjoyed and there are also matches where I'm very bored or angry because we are not disorganising our opponent's defence, but that is football," Van Gaal after his side ended an eight-match winless run against Swansea in January 2016.

"We don't speak about Wayne Rooney, you have criticised him. I don't - you!" Van Gaal said to reporters at his post-match news conference in January, before pointing at journalist Neil Custis, adding: "You too, fat man."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Sunday Supplement panel discussed van Gaal’s ‘fat man’ jibe and said he should have apologised

"You cannot say that they [fans] are not right. They are right and of course they are disappointed and they have the right to boo me. You know it was not good today," after Manchester United lost to Southampton, Van Gaal admitted he sympathised with the supporters.

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm on Sunday.

Around Sky