Van Gaal doing 'brilliant' job at Man United says Ferguson
Former boss who haunted David Moyes comes out in support of Old Trafford's latest manager
Alex Ferguson haunted David Moyes during his short-lived reign at Old Trafford, scowling down on his anointed successor from the director's box in full view of the TV cameras as results went from bad to worse.
But although Ferguson has been in his usual seat in the director's box this season too, and even ventured out onto the Old Trafford turf to take part in a presentation last week, he appears to have complete faith in Louis van Gaal.
Talking to MUTV, the man who led United for 27 years even appeared to accept that the Dutch manager was right to try and start afresh at Old Trafford.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Louis van Gaal has made a lot of changes and, thinking about that, actually maybe he's doing the right thing, to clear the decks and build his own team," mused Ferguson.
He also appeared to damn Moyes still further by noting that Van Gaal was in a position to dismantle and rebuild the Old trafford squad "because he's got the experience and coaching ability to do that".
Ferguson even praised Van Gaal's no-nonsense attitude. "The way he's approached it I think has been brilliant," he said.
It was the former manager's first public statement since the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford and set about spending £150m on new players, notes The Guardian.
Although the Scot "has repeatedly insisted he has no regrets about his decision to step down" the Daily Telegraph notes that in another part of the interview he revealed the occasional hankering for his old life at United's training ground in Manchester.
Recalling a break last winter Ferguson said: "It was the first time I've ever had a holiday in my life in December. And I'm sitting there at pool side in Abu Dhabi and I said to [wife] Cathy: 'I should be at Carrington.'"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s financial charges: what next for the Premier League champions?
feature The club is alleged to have breached financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period
By Mike Starling Published