Van Gaal right for Man United – McClaren
Newcastle boss Steve McClaren has declared that Louis van Gaal is the ideal man to bring success back to Manchester United.
Former England manager McClaren spent three successful seasons at Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant, helping United win the Treble in 1999.
And while McClaren’s Newcastle team stopped United from scoring in Saturday’s stalemate, he is convinced Van Gaal can bring a revival in his old club’s fortunes.
“Sir Alex built four or five teams in that 25-year period he was here. They were all excellent, but that’s difficult to carry on,” he said.
“Anybody coming in will find that difficult because Manchester United is an institution and it was run by him. I think Louis van Gaal is the best man. I looked from the outside and felt it needed someone of his stature and character to come in here.”
McClaren had faced Van Gaal before in the Eredivisie, where he managed Twente and the Dutchman was in charge of AZ Alkmaar, and in the Bundesliga, when they were in charge of Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich respectively.
“I’ve seen him do it in Holland and Germany,” he added. “He started at Bayern Munich and the first six months were not very good, but then he built and won the league.
“If anyone can turn it around he can, and they’re starting again. It will be totally different because there’s a new philosophy here. That takes time to bed in and grow.”
McClaren also backed United captain Wayne Rooney, who has failed to score in his last 10 appearances for his club, to get back on the goal trail.
He managed Rooney on international duty and added: “He is very strong mentally with what he’s been through. He won’t be bothered – it’ll come. Look at the goals he’s scored. Anyone who thinks he’s lost it just has to look at his record. He’ll know he’s going to score again.”
McClaren has spent almost £50 million on Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Florian Thauvin but believes the best bit of business Newcastle have done was keeping hold of captain Fabricio Coloccini, who excelled at Old Trafford.
“There’s been a lot of talk about signings this summer, but for me, that was the best one,” he said.
“There was a point in the summer where we thought he might well be going. Most definitely. There were offers on the table, but the club has done great to address that situation and keep him.
“We said: ‘Sort him out, and get him back on board’. They’ve done that, and deep down, I think he always wanted to finish his career at Newcastle. I’m pleased he performed he did like he did.”
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