Louis van Gaal sees Manchester United ‘much better than last year’ as US tour begins

Louis van Gaal says he is 'very happy' with where Manchester United are this year compared to last, and is encouraging his players 'to fight for your position' during their tour of the United States.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal led the club to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season. Jason Cairnduff / Action Images / Reuters
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The future of Manchester United will be on display in Seattle on Friday as Louis van Gaal gives his first glimpse of a new-look side he hopes will return the club to the summit of English football.

The Premier League giants kick off a four-match tour of the United States against Club America of Mexico after completing a flurry of high-calibre signings which look to have strengthened United in several key areas.

The arrival of German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger and French international Morgan Schneiderlin has given United’s midfield a look of class it has lacked arguably since the last of Alex Ferguson’s great sides.

United’s defence has been enhanced by the arrival of highly rated Italian international right back Matteo Darmian while in attack Van Gaal has added the exciting talents of winger Memphis Depay.

“I am very happy because they are in my opinion very good players,” Van Gaal said ahead of Friday’s game at CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks NFL team.

“That is why Manchester United has bought them and I am very happy that they are here before the tour because we can prepare all the team elements what I have to implement with new players.

“It is much better than last year.”

Clues as to how Van Gaal plans to weave the new arrivals into his existing squad should emerge over the next fortnight in the US, where United will also face games against the San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

But Van Gaal has warned his new signings they would need to prove they deserved a place in United’s starting line-up.

“I have to say to the players, you have to fight for your position,” Van Gaal said.

“Never is it secure in top sport – even my position is not secure,” added the manager, who demonstrated his ruthless streak this week by announcing he planned to sell goalkeeper Victor Valdes, just seven months after signing him, because he had refused to play for the reserves.

Van Gaal reportedly favours a 4-3-3 formation, which could comprise Michael Carrick, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger in a midfield three.

However he hinted this week that he could opt for a 4-2-3-1 line-up, which may see Schneiderlin and Carrick sitting behind a three of Ander Herrera, Schweinsteiger and Juan Mata.

“I have said already that our selection was not in balance and I have mentioned that I want to make the balance with midfielders,” Van Gaal said.

“So you could expect that I shall buy two holding midfielders. Morgan Schneiderlin is the type that I think can play in our system and in our philosophy.”

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