Van Gaal ‘always had an eye for young players’ says Manchester United hero

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Edwin van der Sar has again sung the praises of his former Ajax coach Louis van Gaal.

Not many players can cross the Manchester United-Louis van Gall bridge, but one player who can is former Old Trafford hero Edwin van der Sar.

The legendary goalkeeper spent six excellent years at Old Trafford. In that time he won four Premier League winners medals, two League Cup medals and a Champions League medal. But he was just as successful during his time at Ajax at the start of his career. He won the Dutch league four times, KNVB Cup thrice and also picked up a Champions League medal whilst in Amsterdam in an illustrious career.

And during that period of success Van Gaal was his assistant or head coach for the majority of the time. So der Sar, perhaps more than anybody, is best placed to highlight the potential of the future United boss.

He was recently quoted as saying the Dutchman was the best manager he had ever worked with, but in an interview with United Uncovered he clarified his statement – suggesting he was the best coach in terms of working on the training ground, something Sir Alex Ferguson delegated elsewhere toward the end of his managerial career.

But he also spoke highly of Van Gaal once again – suggesting he is perfect for blending youth and experience together, and playing the United way:

“Louis van Gaal was my coach in the mid-90s with Ajax and we had a great period of success. He always had an eye for young players and making them better, while combining that with the players the club had already. That’s something I expect him to do at United as well.

I think van Gaal’s style of football is similar to the way United want to play and the way United need to play for the supporters because of the club’s history. I am sure he is going to find a way in terms of tactics needed to reintroduce that, and maybe bring a little bit of emphasis on the Dutch style of football.”

For the likes of James Wilson, Tom Lawrence, Adnan Januzaj and the many top young players coming through the ranks at United they will hope their new manager’s record of youth development does shine through at Old Trafford.