Louis van Gaal has revealed his ambition to turn Manchester United into the best team in world football ahead of Sunday’s crucial match against Southampton.
This week the Dutchman added three-time Champions League winner Victor Valdes to his star studded squad but would not reveal if United would be active again this month.
On the field the Red Devils are in the midst of an 11-match unbeaten run and the former Barcelona manager wants his side to keep improving.
“My ambition is that I have the best players who can cooperate with each other to form the best team in the world,” said the 63-year-old.
“I had the chance to see him and his behaviour in rehabilitation but also if his quality was still the same,” he added of ex-Barcelona star Valdes.
“He has confirmed both and that is very important for me and also for him because when I am satisfied then mostly the players are satisfied.”
Victory on Sunday would put United, who are just three points better off than at this stage last season, four points ahead of the Saints.
A Southampton win would see Ronald Koeman’s in-form side leapfrog the Red Devils into third place but they are yet to beat a team in the top five.
Van Gaal enters the weekend with only one player out injured and could welcome back Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind, who trained all week, back into his team.
“We have only one player injured. Can you believe it?” said the former Netherlands manager.
“I have to select for the first time in my career at Manchester United the 11 and the 18 players.”
United have kept six clean sheets so far this season and have only conceded seven times in their last 13 games.
Meanwhile Southampton boast the best defence of England’s top 72 clubs and have returned to form winning three of their last four league games.
Southampton have not won at Old Trafford in their previous 18 attempts, losing 16, in a run stretching back to 1988.
Main image courtesy of FIFATV via YouTube, with thanks.
