Louis van Gaal points out mistake Man Utd made that Jurgen Klopp avoided at Liverpool
by Jake Polden, https://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/jake-polden/Louis van Gaal has opened up on his experience at Manchester United, and highlighted the mistakes made that Jurgen Klopp avoided at Liverpool.
Van Gaal replaced David Moyes at the helm in 2014, and was manager for two years before he was sacked for Jose Mourinho.
The Dutchman won the FA Cup during his stint in charge, but his tenure isn't remember fondly by Manchester United fans.
In Van Gaal's two years high-profile players came and went at United - Angel Di Maria being the best example - with little success.
Van Gaal regularly discusses his time at Old Trafford, routinely slamming the club's board, including executive vice chairman Ed Woodward.
![https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22105910.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Manchester-City-v-Manchester-United-Premier-League.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22105910.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Manchester-City-v-Manchester-United-Premier-League.jpg](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22105910.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Manchester-City-v-Manchester-United-Premier-League.jpg)
And in a recent interview with Voetbal International, Van Gaal has claimed that despite United's riches he wasn't given the opportunity to sign the players he wanted during his time in charge.
Instead, the club brought in the "number seven" player on his list.
"Manchester United did not have the qualities to become champions and had an outdated selection with ten players over 30, five over 35," he said.
"So I told them I was going to rejuvenate and which players should come. I didn't get one of those.
![https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22100558.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Soccer-Manchester-United-Photo-Call-Angel-Di-Maria-Unveiling-Old-Trafford.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22100558.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Soccer-Manchester-United-Photo-Call-Angel-Di-Maria-Unveiling-Old-Trafford.jpg](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22100558.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Soccer-Manchester-United-Photo-Call-Angel-Di-Maria-Unveiling-Old-Trafford.jpg)
"Then you end up in a different segment and as a coach you have to push your boundaries. You don't expect that at the richest club in the world.
"A turnover of £600million and can't buy the players you need. You should buy number one and not number seven.
"Of course, the selling club also thinks: 'If you are so rich, you also have to pay the highest amount imaginable for a player.' That was what happened with transfers.
"Then you have to do with the numbers seven or eight on your wish list. For which you actually pay way too much money, on which the coach is judged and convicted."
![https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21315605.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Liverpool-Training-Session.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21315605.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Liverpool-Training-Session.jpg](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21315605.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Liverpool-Training-Session.jpg)
Manchester United have regressed since the days in which Sir Alex Ferguson regularly competed for the title.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have grown into the league's best team under Klopp.
One of the German's keys to success has been only signing the players he needs.
For the most part, Klopp is quiet in transfer windows, but when he needed a centre-back he identified Virgil van Dijk as his one and only target and waited until he became available to sign.
![https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21885003.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Pics-of-the-Year-2019-Champions-of-Europe-I-was-on-the-Press-Bus-in-front-of-Liverpool-FCs-Cham.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21885003.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Pics-of-the-Year-2019-Champions-of-Europe-I-was-on-the-Press-Bus-in-front-of-Liverpool-FCs-Cham.jpg](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21885003.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Pics-of-the-Year-2019-Champions-of-Europe-I-was-on-the-Press-Bus-in-front-of-Liverpool-FCs-Cham.jpg)
He did the same with Alisson, as he was again unprepared to sign a compromise.
By creating a team solely in his image, Klopp has had no problems directing Liverpool to play a certain way, and he's reaping the benefits.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put a stop to Manchester United's reckless panic buying since he took over as boss in 2018.
![https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21396217.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Manchester-United-Unveil-New-Signing-Bruno-Fernandes.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21396217.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Manchester-United-Unveil-New-Signing-Bruno-Fernandes.jpg](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21396217.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Manchester-United-Unveil-New-Signing-Bruno-Fernandes.jpg)
The Norwegian has attempted to follow Klopp's strategy and has been only signing players on his transfer list - not players who just-about fit a profile.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes are two good examples of players thoroughly scouted before being signed by the Red Devils.
And both players have slotted in perfectly at United under Solskjaer this season.
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