MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Louis van Gaal has hit back at Paul Scholes in the wake of his comments that the Dutchman’s side play boring football.
United legend Scholes criticised Van Gaal’s philosophy in the wake of Wednesday’s League Cup exit at the hands of Middlesbrough.
But, speaking ahead of United’s trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Van Gaal said: “I think United are always entertaining. I hear people say that we are boring, but there are more spectators at Old Trafford than at any other stadium.
“I always take risks. I do not agree with Paul Scholes’ opinion. I do not want to disagree with him, because he is a club legend. But when you are a club legend, you should be speaking to the manager, or Ed Woodward or his friend Ryan Giggs.
“But BBC or Sky are paying him to say some things. Why is he saying this? For the benefit or the club or for his own benefit? There is an expression, sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt. Scholes’ comments have no effect. He does not have any responsibility.
“It is all a process and I have said before that it takes three years. When Mr Scholes says I have to go, that is not his responsibility. That is up to Mr Woodward and the Glazers.”
United sit just two points off top spot in the Premier League ahead of their game at Palace, and Van Gaal is pleased with the progress they have made compared to last season.
“Last year we had 13 points from 10 games and now we have 20 points out of 10. We are improving a lot, but it is a process,” the former Netherlands boss added.
“We were in the last 16 of the Capital One Cup and in the Champions League. Last year it was not like this. I shall do everything for this club because these fans are unbelievable.”
While I’m a fan of both LVG and Ginger bullet Scholes, I think it’s waffle coming from both of them, just to fill in media commitments they have – at the end of the day results speak for themselves.
I don’t get the abuse. I’m a neutral. And with van Gaal having a misfiring Rooney and no limited signing options – playing a massively expansive game leaves them open. They have the best home record in the league.
Second best home record after Man City actually.
Second best after Man City actually but it’s only a point in it.
Second best in the league behind Man City actually, but there’s only a point in it.
Scholes didn’t say LVG had to go did he?
Listen to what he said and how he said it. He said the team’s defence were very well coached and organised and not nice to play against but probably not great to play in that team either because there’s not much room for creativity. He was hardly slamming Van Gaal
No he didnt say he had to go but there were rumours lately of utd offering lvg an extension on his contract and i would think that scholes nevilles, butt and giggs would prefer him to move on after his 3 yr stint was up rather than looking at this negative football for any longer than necessary…..i actually think lvg is on the right track so far but he def needs to loosen the leashes of the attacking players at his disposal. Even martial ,who was a breath of fresh air when he started , seems to be more restrictive with his play. Granted he has been pushed out wide , but he seems to look for the extra pass now rather than taking a shot at the first sight of goal
I think he’s on the right track myself. I don’t really like him personally but he’s certainly steadied the ship.
I wouldn’t have thought of Scholes as being underhanded. He always seems to me to just look after himself, mind his own business and give his opinion when asked. But maybe there’s something in it ?
Maybe it’s a little bit of both.
Some cheek from one of the most opinionated despots in football.
Maybe scholesy has an alterior motive though , apart from being a lifelong fan he maybe thinking of giggsy being promoted if enough pressure is applied to lvg to force a change before lvg gets a new deal The class of 92 prob 3 yrs of lvg is long enough if not too long
van Gaal is a spoofer :-)
So are you Tony
His CV would suggest your the spoofer Tony.
I’m a United fan and while LVG’s style may deserve criticism it’s clear what Scholes is at. His refusal to lay any blame with Rooney makes it glaringly obvious. He’s trying to get his mate (Giggs) the job. Expect Gary Neville to ramp it up soon too.
Rubbish Conor, Scholes is just telling it ho it is.. Yous have a good defence, buy yous sent winning the league as of yet. No creativity.
They certainly aren’t as exciting to watch as they have been in the past but they are in a better place than most PL clubs. They’ve also improved since this time last year……
LVG will not be offer anything until there is silverware on the table and even at that I still expect him to go , Giggs will be his successor , Butt is already there and expect Scholes and the Neville’s to join them