Home
Paul Scholes has described new Manchester
United manager Louis van Gaal as a "mad
genius" who will bring the fear factor back to
Old Trafford.
The 2012-13 champions finished seventh last year,
having sacked David Moyes in April after just 10
months in charge.
"From what I've seen already he looks a bit mad to
me. Like a mad genius," the former player told the
Independent .
"There's no doubt these players need to perform
this year or they won't be there for very long."
Scholes, 39, who briefly joined United's backroom
staff after Moyes's sacking, also believes
Dutchman Van Gaal requires more new signings if
he is to challenge for the Premier League title in
his first season.
Paul Scholes
watches a
training session
at the end of last
season
The 20-time league champions have already
brought in defender Luke Shaw and midfielder
Ander Herrera this summer for a combined total
of almost £60m.
But Van Gaal has lost the services of experienced
centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic,
left-back Patrice Evra and veteran midfielder Ryan
Giggs - "massive players who have won 30 titles
between them," according to Scholes.
"I'm sure he [Van Gaal] would have liked to have
signed more players," the ex-England international
said. "He's not managed to do that yet. Are the
players out there available?
"People still want to play for United. It's huge. You
get the chance to win the Premier League, but
possibly not this year if they don't make any
signings."
Mata in action
against Liverpool
in pre-season
Meanwhile, Juan Mata, who signed for United from
Chelsea for £37.1m in January 2014, believes the
club's main focus should be getting back into
Europe.
"We would all love to win the league but the most
important goal - what this club needs - is to play in
the Champions League again," the Spaniard told
the Daily Mail.
"I cannot imagine a Champions League two years
in a row without United."
Mata, 26, also looks to have emerged as favoured
forward from the "four number 10s" Van Gaal said
he had at the club, and is revelling in the role.
"This manager wants passing and movement and
triangles. It's how I play my best," the former
Valencia player added. "But my mission is to assist
and score
United manager Louis van Gaal as a "mad
genius" who will bring the fear factor back to
Old Trafford.
The 2012-13 champions finished seventh last year,
having sacked David Moyes in April after just 10
months in charge.
"From what I've seen already he looks a bit mad to
me. Like a mad genius," the former player told the
Independent .
"There's no doubt these players need to perform
this year or they won't be there for very long."
Scholes, 39, who briefly joined United's backroom
staff after Moyes's sacking, also believes
Dutchman Van Gaal requires more new signings if
he is to challenge for the Premier League title in
his first season.
Paul Scholes
watches a
training session
at the end of last
season
The 20-time league champions have already
brought in defender Luke Shaw and midfielder
Ander Herrera this summer for a combined total
of almost £60m.
But Van Gaal has lost the services of experienced
centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic,
left-back Patrice Evra and veteran midfielder Ryan
Giggs - "massive players who have won 30 titles
between them," according to Scholes.
"I'm sure he [Van Gaal] would have liked to have
signed more players," the ex-England international
said. "He's not managed to do that yet. Are the
players out there available?
"People still want to play for United. It's huge. You
get the chance to win the Premier League, but
possibly not this year if they don't make any
signings."
Mata in action
against Liverpool
in pre-season
Meanwhile, Juan Mata, who signed for United from
Chelsea for £37.1m in January 2014, believes the
club's main focus should be getting back into
Europe.
"We would all love to win the league but the most
important goal - what this club needs - is to play in
the Champions League again," the Spaniard told
the Daily Mail.
"I cannot imagine a Champions League two years
in a row without United."
Mata, 26, also looks to have emerged as favoured
forward from the "four number 10s" Van Gaal said
he had at the club, and is revelling in the role.
"This manager wants passing and movement and
triangles. It's how I play my best," the former
Valencia player added. "But my mission is to assist
and score