Louis Van Gaal was happy at Old Trafford even with an "outdated squad"

Manchester United sacked Louis Van Gaal two years into a three-year deal but recently the Dutch manager fired shots at his former club and claimed that he was let down by the club in terms of transfer targets.

He criticized United’s transfer strategy during his reign but he also accepted that he is proud of what he achieved at Old Trafford. The ex-Barcelona boss succeeded David Moyes in 2014. The Dutchman lasted for two seasons and was sacked just two days after winning the 2016 FA Cup against Crystal Palace.

United bought Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind ahead of Van Gaal’s first season and later on, Radamel Falcao joined on loan too. However, Van Gaal feels that he did not get any of his “first-choice” targets and said that the squad was an “outdated” one.

“Manchester United did not have the qualities to become champions and had an outdated selection with ten players over 30, five over 35. So I told them I was going to rejuvenate and which players should come. I didn’t get one of those. 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 £600m and you can’t buy the players you need. You should buy a number one and not number seven. Then you have to do with the numbers seven or eight on your wish list. For which you actually pay way too much, on which the coach is judged and convicted,” Van Gaal told Voetbal International.

A failure to finish in the top four in the 2015-16 and some allegations on the style of football he prefers, the 68-year-old was sacked but Van Gaal doesn’t regret it. 

“Despite those disappointments, Manchester United did win the FA Cup. Manchester United has actually been the greatest achievement of my career.”

featured image credits- Newsweek