Louis van Gaal believes he has won the hearts and minds of his Manchester United squad and the club’s fans, saying he receives the “highest credit” from players and that he benefits from a “fantastic” understanding of his vision from supporters in the face of criticism of the team’s sluggish play.
Van Gaal admits United can play better yet the side have been beaten only once in 19 games in all competitions before Saturday’s trip to Swansea City. Team spirit has been vital in this run. On Monday United earned a sixth-round FA Cup tie against Arsenal by defeating Preston North End 3-1 after conceding the first goal. This followed a last-gasp equaliser at West Ham United.
Despite not playing well, United stand third with 13 games remaining of the season and are two victories away from the FA Cup final.
Asked if enough credit is being given to him, Van Gaal said: “The credit I get is from the players, the highest credit what I can get. That is the most important thing: that my players, my staff and myself can work together at the way we work now and that gives the spirit.”
The Manchester Evening News conducted a poll in which 80% of fans said they understood the direction Van Gaal is taking the club. When this was put to the manager, he laughed and said: “Over 80%? Unbelievable. In spite of your [the media’s] criticism, fantastic. Thank you. I can repeat it, more than 80%.
“It is not also for the first time that the fans are amazing. When you see at Preston North End, in the second-half we are behind after two minutes, and the fans are supporting us until the end. That is not the first time, it happens every match that they are supporting in spite of being behind.”
In Van Gaal’s opening competitive match, United lost 2-1 at home to Swansea. He said his players’ confidence had been “smashed” after they had entered the game after a successful summer tour in which every match had been won. He now thinks belief has been restored. “Now I think every player knows the philosophy of me and my staff. Everyone wants to follow that philosophy and you can see that in the team spirit of the team, which is unbelievable. I think that the confidence at this moment is the same as then, because we had won everything in the United States against big clubs.
“But that doesn’t say anything about the match because you have to play that match and we have seen that against Swansea City in the first match. I think only the difference is now the players know and have experience of playing in the system with my philosophy.”
Robin van Persie and Phil Jones are available again following injury.
