Louis van Gaal says he cannot dodge the odd defeat as Manchester United manager but if the team play as one fans can expect the good times to return.
Van Gaal will travel to the United States for his first matches in charge of the three-times European champions later this week having steered the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup.
How the Dutch went about their business in Brazil – 15 goals in seven matches culminating in their 3-0 defeat of the hosts in the third-place playoff – is what the experienced coach wants at Old Trafford.
“I hope my new group in Manchester will be just like this one,” said Van Gaal.
“We set an objective and we believed in that objective. We wanted first place. And really we were very, very close to doing that – only penalties stopped us.
“Now the first thing we have to do at United is the same, to all start singing from the same hymn sheet. Then we’ll see if we do that then all’s well that ends well.”
At certain points of the tournament Van Gaal appeared to have the knack of Sir Alex Ferguson’s United in being able to win no matter what.
The last-gasp last 16 victory over Mexico – when the central Americans were largely the better side until the final minutes as Holland scored twice to book a quarter-final berth – had United fans purring, though Van Gaal was quick to say don’t expect it to be all win, win, win this coming season.
“I couldn’t do that with Ajax, I couldn’t do that at Barcelona, I couldn’t do that at Bayern Munich. Losing is part and parcel of the game.
“But I hope I can do my best, I will try to do my best at Manchester United. Whether that is enough for the fans there, I genuinely hope it will.”
Main image courtesy of RTV Rijnmond via YouTube, with thanks.
