Germany won the World Cup without any players from Greater Manchester clubs – but how did the Mancunians who were at the tournament shape up?

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.

The fast-footed forward, 27, has won the world player of the year four times though he has never persistently sparkled for Argentina.

The famous sky blue and white kit has adorned various grounds in neighbouring Brazil as Argentina hope to echo their World Cup victories of 1978, at home, and 1986 in Mexico.

The World Cup in Brazil has been one of the greatest in living memory but strangely absent from the limelight have been a vast array of under performing Premier League stars.

Van Gaal’s Dutch side will play Argentina in the World Cup last four therefore keeping him in Brazil until the final weekend as United, meanwhile, prepare to embark for their USA tour on the 18th.

What is the USA national team doing right and what can jaded European teams like our very own sorry England learn from them?

Eight different players from Manchester’s big two have netted a combined ten goals as the competition enters the quarter-final stage – add one more goal from Wigan’s Jean Beausejour and Greater Manchester is comfortably the country’s most dominant region.

Van Persie believes his young Dutch teammates Memphis Depay and Jordy Clasie will bring the team glory days in the future.

The 18-year-old England international’s £30million move from Southampton went through last week while former teammate Adam Lallana, another face of the future for the national side, secured a £25million deal with Liverpool today.

Midfielder Marouane Fellaini in doubt for Belgium’s last 16 World Cup clash with the USA while opposition manager Jurgen Klinsmann has doubts over the referee.