Friday 14 August 2015 09:45, UK
He's won over supporters but Louis van Gaal must now deliver the trophies that his record promises, writes Adam Bate.
Albert Morgan has seen a few things in a quarter of a century at Old Trafford. Manchester United's much-loved former kit man was a friend and confidante to Sir Alex Ferguson and is now working as an ambassador at the club's training ground. Clearly, he's worked with the best. And yet, he still seems taken with Louis van Gaal.
For instance, years of wrangling over planning permission were given fresh purpose by the Dutchman's demands and United have finally had floodlights installed at Carrington - allowing them to train at night in preparation for evening games such as the trip to Aston Villa on Friday. Morgan is impressed. Mr Van Gaal. He likes things just so.
It's the sort of forthright attention to detail that has caused many at Old Trafford to raise an appreciative eyebrow over the past year. When Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville went to interview Van Gaal for the Telegraph, he met an "imposing figure" who provides the "reassurance" that he - and only he - is in charge of the situation.
Most agree it was precisely what was needed after inheriting what former United defender Rio Ferdinand referred to as a "broken squad" from David Moyes. There has been relief and satisfaction that Van Gaal has restored United to the Champions League too - a fact proudly plastered on posters around the Old Trafford concourses ahead of the new campaign.
But that was just the start. Ship steadied, and it's worth remembering that fourth place would have represented failure in any Premier League season other than the previous two, now is surely the time for United to push on. With that in mind, not everyone is convinced that the club is on an inexorable journey back to the top.
Ex-United midfielder Johnny Giles certainly caused a stir last week. "I liked the way he grabbed control of a massive institution and began to bend it to his will," claimed the Irishman in his column for The Herald. "(But) I'm not entirely convinced that Van Gaal has the scale of football knowledge to match the size of his personality."
Criticism
That might seem a surprising assessment given Van Gaal’s reputation. But criticism should not be dismissed out of hand. Comparisons with Moyes might feel like an exercise in 'whataboutery' that would make a politician blush, but it’s hard not to wonder how some of the missteps might have been received had they been made in less formidable shoes.
Van Gaal, for example, was happy to sign off on the acquisition of Angel Di Maria for a British transfer record only for the player to be shipped out within the year amid talk of failing to adapt to the manager’s methods. Radamel Falcao arrived for an exorbitant loan fee and departed having scored only four goals in all competitions.
An existing relationship with Robin van Persie was supposed to be a bonus but even he ended up scoring more for Moyes. Such is the confidence Van Gaal inspires perhaps it’s best left to the man himself to provide the critique. “You cannot give a lot of money for a player and next season put him out of your selection,” he said of the Di Maria situation last season.
With the popular Rafael dispensed with, now it’s the drama surrounding David de Gea that’s attracting attention. Former United goalkeeping hero Peter Schmeichel is among those frustrated to see the saga with the Spaniard drag on into the Premier League season amid ongoing reports of a proposed transfer to Real Madrid. Van Gaal is insistent De Gea is not focused.
All managers suffer setbacks, but Van Gaal has a way of making it seem as though they are part of the plan. For example, when resorting to playing for Marouane Fellaini knockdowns, he was content to convey the impression he was a man left with little choice. “You have to win (the ball), otherwise I have to line-up always (with) players like Fellaini,” he explained.
Supporters relished that sort of contempt in his early months in charge with a 4-0 defeat to MK Dons seen as all part of the necessary cleansing process. The detergent had arrived. But the smell must change soon and holding up the hands in exasperation is only viable for so long. One year on and, as Ferdinand recently argued, there can be no excuses now.
The start will be crucial. United picked up only 13 points from Van Gaal’s first 10 games last season, before taking 52 points from the next 22 - title-winning numbers. Form only dipped when an unfortunate defeat to Chelsea took the sting out of the season finale. That improvement must continue and once again Van Gaal has written the headlines himself.
“My teams shall improve through the season,” he told Neville last year. “That is not a question.” Big words. United words. And while much has been made of Van Gaal having the stature to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson, perhaps it’s a line from Sir Matt Busby that feels more pertinent for the Dutchman this season.
“I never wanted Manchester United to be second to anybody,” said Busby. “Only the best would be good enough.” Van Gaal shares that attitude. Now he just needs the results to match. On Friday at Villa Park, he can start by addressing the issue of an away record that saw United win only six of their 19 Premier League games last term. The time to deliver is now for Van Gaal.
