Louis van Gaal is a big man though he will stand a little taller on Tuesday night when he walks the walk from the Old Trafford tunnel to the dugout for the first time.
The distance? 60 yards, a small way for a man with Van Gaal’s gait.
The path? Hopefully to restore Manchester United back at the top of the English game, a place where they’ve spent a good many years.
The opposition? Valencia, a place known for its orange juice, a colour with which Van Gaal is well acquainted having managed the Dutch Oranje side to third place at this summer’s World Cup.
United’s final pre-season fixture is precisely that: pre-season.
However for second-choice goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, the welcome the Old Trafford crowd gives to their new man in charge could set the tone for a prosperous year rather than the Alfred Hitchcock-esque chaos under David Moyes.
“The manager can expect the same that all others coming to Old Trafford expect: it is the Theatre of Dreams,” he told United’s website.
“It is a dream for everyone in football to walk those yards up to the stage and say that you have been a part of this historic place.
“I am sure he will get a fantastic welcome from the fans, the players and everyone supporting Manchester United.”
Teammate Tom Cleverley played his first game at Old Trafford against the same Spanish opposition in 2009 and said there would be no let up from the three-times European champions, who blitzed all opposition on their recent tour of the USA.
“It will be an exciting night for everyone and the atmosphere won’t be like a friendly. We will all be pushing for a win,” said the midfielder.
“It’s a good fixture against a good side and everyone will be looking to win for the manager in his first game.”
Van Gaal, who already has his own billboard in Manchester, has not minced his words since his arrival and is forever seeking to improve the Old Trafford side.
“We don’t have wingers of the highest level, like Ronaldo or Di Maria or somebody like that. So, I have to play in another way – and you have seen that already,” he said.
“I only buy when I think we need to buy – in the position that is necessary.”
The 63-year-old worked magic in the 1990s with the Ajax youngsters, turning them into European champions and a similar policy of manufacturing Dutch talent might be in store at United.
“Dutch players are usually cheaper than players of other nationalities and they have usually been very well educated in the Netherlands, I believe,” he said.
“But they have to be of a level than can play well in the English Premier League. You have to ask if that is the case with every player.
“If they are at the level I want them to be, then I will sign Dutch players. Nationality isn’t something that concerns me.”
Main image courtesy of FIFATV via YouTube, with thanks.
