The Louis
van Gaal era at Manchester United begins proper on Saturday with the
first game of the new season against Swansea at Old Trafford. As the
clock counts down to kick-off, Sportsmail brings
you all the latest news from the Dutchman's final preparations for the
big game, including his first Premier League pre-match press conference,
scheduled to begin at 2.30pm.
The
United squad are also in training on Friday morning, and JOE BERNSTEIN
is at Carrington providing updates on Van Gaal's final preparations.
Transfer rumblings
Despite United snapping up Ander Herrera and Shaw in June,
new players have been in short supply at Old Trafford this summer, which
provides an uncomfortable echo of the mess last summer endured by
Moyes.
Van Gaal is apparently very unhappy at United's lack of purchases, and angry at the lengthening delay in the signing of Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon. Thomas Vermaelen, a target for Van Gaal, has moved to Barcelona, which hasn't helped the Dutchman's mood.
But the deal for Rojo appears increasingly complex, with a wrangle developing over the player's shared ownership between Sporting and a third party. It looks like United will have to struggle to force this deal over the line.
10:46
Slight change in timings...
Van Gaal's press conference is now scheduled for 3pm, so he'll keep you hanging on for another 30 mins or so. The little tease.
10:22
Juan Mata EXCLUSIVE
Fancy a good read before the real action kicks off at
Carrington today? Of course you do. Look no further than Ian Ladyman's
fabulous interview with United playmaker Juan Mata, who looks set for a
starring role under Van Gaal this season.
Mata reveals that Van Gaal told Rooney how to take a penalty, that his new boss is very temperamental... but that he loves United's new direction and style of play for this season
Mata reveals that Van Gaal told Rooney how to take a penalty, that his new boss is very temperamental... but that he loves United's new direction and style of play for this season
10:14
Thought for the day
A year ago, David Moyes was preparing for his first league
match in charge of United, also against Swansea. We all know what
happened next. But this morning Moyes's name was mentioned at Sportsmail
towers... in connection with the newly vacant Crystal Palace job. How
the mighty have fallen!
10:08
More from Verheijen
'LVG is tactically superior to most other coaches but
planning & periodisation is not his strongest point: double sessions
& muscles injuries.'
Verheijen does have some positive words to say about Van Gaal too, however. 'In international football there are only a few real top coaches. And LVG is clearly one of them. Great appointment by Manchester United.'
But he goes on to blame Van Gaal's double training sessions for several muscle injuries suffered by Dutch players at the World Cup. The examples he lists are 'Vd Vaart (calf), De Guzman (hamstring), RVP (groin), Fer (hamstring), De Jong (groin), Sneijder (hamstring)'
He then adds: 'LVG’s coaching skills & tactical superiority often compensate for this periodisation deficiency but there is clearly room for improvement.'
Verheijen does have some positive words to say about Van Gaal too, however. 'In international football there are only a few real top coaches. And LVG is clearly one of them. Great appointment by Manchester United.'
But he goes on to blame Van Gaal's double training sessions for several muscle injuries suffered by Dutch players at the World Cup. The examples he lists are 'Vd Vaart (calf), De Guzman (hamstring), RVP (groin), Fer (hamstring), De Jong (groin), Sneijder (hamstring)'
He then adds: 'LVG’s coaching skills & tactical superiority often compensate for this periodisation deficiency but there is clearly room for improvement.'
10:02
But not everyone's a fan of Van Gaal...
Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen has aimed another broadside at
his fellow countryman, this time over Luke Shaw's hamstring
injury. Verheijen, who has worked with Barcelona, and Manchester City
among others, and was also Wales' assistant manager, has previously
slammed Van Gaal and Moyes for supposedly contributing to injuries for
Robin van Persie by over-training him. Now, Verheijen has blamed Shaw's
injury on 'too much training'.
'The Luke Shaw case is the climax of Manchester United’s predictable pre-season injury crisis due to 'too much training too soon,' he has said on Twitter.
'The Luke Shaw case is the climax of Manchester United’s predictable pre-season injury crisis due to 'too much training too soon,' he has said on Twitter.
09:42
Or should that be 'Welcome to Vanchester'?
Some cheeky chappies at a betting firm have reignited the
rivalry with noisy neighbours Manchester City ahead of the new season,
pasting Van Gaal's face on a billboard in the City. That apes City's
infamous dig at United with their poster of Carlos Tevez, following his
move across the divide in 2009, with the slogan 'Welcome to Manchester'.
What rotters.
09:35
Welcome to Manchester!
Van Gaal was spotted out and about in Manchester city centre
with wife Truus last night. Unsurprisingly it was raining cats and dogs
(you'd better get used to that, Louis). But Van Gaal could shed some of
his hardman image with this picture as he can clearly be seen holding up
a brolly to keep has better half dry. What a gent.
09:25
It's going to be a busy day down Carrington way
Van Gaal will take charge of training at United's nerve
centre on Friday morning as his players get one final chance to impress
their new boss before he finalises the team to face Swansea. No pressure
than, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez et
al.
Then, at 2.30pm, Van Gaal will address the media in his first Premier League pre-match press conference at United. Sir Alex Ferguson set an explosive precedent during his press briefings at Old Trafford, which the oddly meek David Moyes utterly failed to live up to. But Van Gaal's comments promise to follow in the footsteps of his legendary predecessor. Brace yourselves.
Then, at 2.30pm, Van Gaal will address the media in his first Premier League pre-match press conference at United. Sir Alex Ferguson set an explosive precedent during his press briefings at Old Trafford, which the oddly meek David Moyes utterly failed to live up to. But Van Gaal's comments promise to follow in the footsteps of his legendary predecessor. Brace yourselves.
09:16
Tick-tock, tick-tock...
The clock is ticking down to a new era at Manchester United.
Louis van Gaal's reign at Old Trafford begins proper at 12.45pm on
Saturday with the start of the new Premier League season and the clash
against Swansea City. I hope there's a good supply of matches in the Old
Trafford store cupboard because Van Gaal is going to provide plenty of
fireworks!
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