Former Manchester United players David Beckham, Edwin Van der Sar and
Owen Hargreaves have backed Louis van Gaal to be a huge success as
manager of their former club and welcomed the appointment of his former
teammate Ryan Giggs as his new assistant.
Beckham admitted 'he was
emotional' at the sight of Giggs striding out at Old Trafford as interim
Manchester United manager last month. But he told Sky Sports that the vastly more experienced Van Gaal is the right choice to take the club forward in the long term.
"He has got a history of working with young players, bringing players
through academy systems at places like Ajax," said Beckham of Van Gaal.
"That can only be great for Manchester United.
"As a Manchester United fan and for Manchester United as a club, to
have someone like this with his pedigree is great. He has worked with
some of the biggest and best players in the world.
"I'm delighted Ryan [Giggs] is still involved as well. When you've
got someone like Giggsy, who all the players respect and all the fans
love, it makes a huge difference.
"His role now has totally changed and I'm sure he will find it an
easy transition because he takes things in his stride, he's not affected
by anything. He knows the club better than most people who are at
Manchester United now."
Beckham -- who was part of the United "Class of '92" along with
Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville -- called on Van Gaal
to retain some of his former teammates services at United as well.
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Hargreaves, whose four years at United from
2007-11 were ravaged by injury, told BT Sport: "If they can get the
players necessary I don't doubt that Van Gaal could even lead them to
the title. But they need to have a great summer.
"I doubt anything less than minimum Champions League (qualification)
and even potentially competing for the title would be sufficient for
him. I can't imagine him coming there to finish fourth. He has been so
successful everywhere he's been, so I don't think they could have had a
better option at this point."
Former United goalkeeper Van der Sar joined the chorus of praise for
Van Gaal's appointment, as he believes his former coach at Ajax has the
stature to succeed at Old Trafford.
"Van Gaal will spend the right money on the right player to ensure
that they are right for United," stated Van der Sar, in quotes appearing
in the Daily Mirror.
"He will know if they have the United DNA of the club inside of them.
If not he will let them go and let them go to other clubs. You have to
play and you have to fight for Manchester United. Not only come for the
money. What's more important? Money or the priviledge of playing for a
coach like Van Gaal?"
"It's a massive club and if you are able to participate in that and
to contribute to winning a title then you are settled for life because
you have the adoration of the club," added Van der Sar. "Van Gaal is
going to be very clear about what he wants and what he demands from his
players and while it's going to be a tricky period for him with the
World Cup deciding on what transfers he will need, if anyone can cope
with a situation like this it is Van Gaal.
"His credentials in Spain, in Germany, in Holland with the national
team speak for themselves. He has won the title in every country. He has
a history of winning trophies, of bringing young players through, of
working with big players.
"He is a very hard-working coach and he is a guy who makes players
better. He also sends out the right signals about the kind of football
he wants to play to the players."
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