Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal said Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could succeed in Old Trafford following the change of leadership with Richard Arnold stepping in to replace Ed Woodward.
Van Gaal had in the build-up to Manchester United’s interest for former Ajax boss, advised that he should turn down the offer from the Red Devils who he posited were more of a commercial club than a football club.
However, Erik ten Hag still accepted the offer and Van Gaal who managed the United squad for two seasons, 2014-2016, added that the exit of Woodward, vice-chairman of Manchester United, could be the difference for the former Ajax boss.
“There is now a new leadership,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports ahead of Netherlands clash with Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“It was Woodward and now it is Richard Arnold and that can make the difference. So we have to wait and see.
“He [Ten Hag] has a lot of confidence. So who am I to say something about that,” he added.
Furthermore, Holland’s boss charged Ajax defender Jurrien Timber to step up his game if he is to feature for the Dutch national team at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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Timber, who steps in to replace Virgil Van Dijk after the Liverpool defender was given a break after undergoing a hectic season at Liverpool, is strongly needed by Ten Hag at Manchester United.
Van Gaal, who won the FA Cup for Manchester United in 2016 before his sack, stressed that the 20-year-old centre-back must play in the first team to be guaranteed a place to represent the country in Qatar.
“I think a player of his quality can play in the Premier League. That is not a problem,” Van Gaal admitted.
“If he has to make this big step now, that’s the question.
“(If he does not play) then he is not so wise, I think. He has to play,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Ajax midfielder Marciano Vink has said that Timber’s move to Manchester United would mean a lot for the Red Devils keen on rebuilding a solid first team ahead of next season.
Vink added that the versatile defender, who won Ajax’s young player of the year award this season, would form a perfect defensive pair with Harry Maguire in United’s defence.
“Maybe he can play alongside Harry Maguire, this guy is ice cold,” Vink told ESPN FC.
“What this guy has shown in the Champions League against Haaland, what he has shown in the national team already at this age, he doesn’t blink.
“This guy is so comfortable on the ball, he anticipates like the best and a defender needs to anticipate, you can be a strong defender, tall but if you don’t know how to anticipate where the ball is going or attacker then you’re not a good attacker but this guy anticipates like the best.
“For me, it’s somebody who could play in the Premier League but also could help Man United from the back football-wise,” he exemplified.
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