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A Netherlands fans takes a picture with national boss Van Gaal this weekend. AP/Press Association Images

Schmeichel: Van Gaal will bring high standards back to Old Trafford

‘The club needs a strong man to steer us back up,’ says the Dane.

LOUIS VAN GAAL will accept nothing less than winning the Premier League with Manchester United, claims former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Van Gaal is expected to be unveiled as David Moyes’ successor next week after United relinquished their league crown with a seventh-place finish this season.

The outgoing Netherlands head coach will be tasked with bringing UEFA Champions League football back to Old Trafford with a top-four finish.

However Schmeichel, who won the Premier League and Champions League amongst other titles during his eight-year spell at United, believes Van Gaal will be aiming higher.

“The club needs a strong man to steer us back up,’ the 50-year-old says. ”We have finished seventh, so the top four is a good target to set yourself for next season.

“But Van Gaal will not want to accept the top four — he will try and win.”

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While Van Gaal is yet to be confirmed as United manager, it has not stopped talk of potential transfer targets, with the club expected to invest heavily during pre-season.

Germany internationals Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich) and Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) have been linked to United, while Luke Shaw (Southampton) is tipped to join the club as they bid to return to the summit. And Schmeichel has given the German pair his seal of approval, should they arrive in Manchester.

“United have got (Phil) Jones, (Chris) Smalling and (Jonny) Evans but going by what the media are saying, Hummels is a target,” the Dane said.

“That’s a good starting point to bring him in. He has good leadership skills and he is a fantastic defender. He’s someone we’ve been looking at for a couple of years and he’s been heavily connected with United.”

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    Mute Noel Donohue
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    Apr 19th 2022, 12:26 PM

    Snowflakes everywhere

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    Mute JG
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    Apr 19th 2022, 12:50 PM

    @Noel Donohue: that old “snowflake” put down is so pre-covid.. Do try something less wet.

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    Mute thomas walsh
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    Apr 19th 2022, 1:26 PM

    @JG: cu#ts??

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    Mute Charmaine ☘ Irish
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    Apr 19th 2022, 5:39 PM

    @thomas walsh: spoke like a true football thug, didn’t know snooker had such vile fans that could utter that.. wouldn’t happen in America

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    Mute thomas walsh
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    Apr 19th 2022, 7:56 PM

    @Charmaine ☘ Irish: what the word cults?? Get your mind out of the gutter

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    Mute Lisa Jones
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    Apr 19th 2022, 12:42 PM

    Years ago you could show emotions playing snooker. Nowadays they barely crack a smileeven if they win through to the next round. Altogether too stiff upper lip. Ronnie at least still shows a bit of passion for the game.

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    Mute rory
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    Apr 19th 2022, 9:15 AM

    Ya probably shouldn’t of done it in fairness but if this was literally any other player it wouldn’t be such a big story.

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    Mute Niall Brady
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    Apr 19th 2022, 11:06 AM

    @rory: it’s never any other player though is it?

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    Mute Richard Fennessy
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    Apr 19th 2022, 1:10 PM

    @rory: it’s always Ronnie that’s the problem

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    Mute Simon
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    Apr 19th 2022, 4:23 PM

    @Niall Brady: did Ronnie hurt your feelings?

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    Mute Sean
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    Apr 19th 2022, 9:15 PM

    @rory: yes obviously the higher the profile of the player the more the media will focus on the transgression I mean this would be the same for any sport. If Mo Salah did it then it would get more headlines than if a player for Brighton did it? That is how news and media works. You sound a little surprised?

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    Mute ⚡ Seánie ⚡
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    Apr 19th 2022, 12:45 PM
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    Mute Roger Bond
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    Apr 19th 2022, 4:48 PM

    @⚡ Seánie ⚡: Watched the video.Looks like he is exercising his wrist.

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    Mute Pascal Coleman
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    Apr 19th 2022, 1:02 PM

    Ah move on lads. A bitta feeding the pigeons in frustration. I hope no one got too offended at a gesture that wasn’t aimed at them!

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    Mute James Beattie
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    Apr 19th 2022, 1:33 PM

    I think the quote by Alex Higgins was and is very apt today. When Alex received one of his many lengthy snooker bans, he was asked by a reporter if he could survive without snooker and he retorted “could snooker survive without him”.

    He was a hell raiser, Ronnie is a very mild version of Higgins but snooker needs these type of characters today if the sport if going to try and keep a substantial TV audience.Snooker needs them more than these characters need snooker.

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    Mute Derek Gannon
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    Apr 19th 2022, 1:31 PM

    Living legend is Ronnie.

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    Mute kieran
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    Apr 19th 2022, 9:05 AM

    The old shaking the bottle of pop there Ron

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    Mute Conor Mc Lysaght
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    Apr 19th 2022, 4:06 PM

    @kieran: I think he was just reminding himself to put more chalk on his cue

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    Mute Jay Kearney
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    Apr 19th 2022, 1:09 PM

    Ahh Relax

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