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Paul Scholes labels Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal a ‘mad genius’ Paul Scholes labels Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal a ‘mad genius’
(about 11 hours later)
Paul Scholes has described Louis van Gaal as “a mad genius” who will bring to Manchester United the combination of charisma, ability, intimidation and fear with which Sir Alex Ferguson inspired a succession of title-winning charges.Paul Scholes has described Louis van Gaal as “a mad genius” who will bring to Manchester United the combination of charisma, ability, intimidation and fear with which Sir Alex Ferguson inspired a succession of title-winning charges.
“I haven’t really come across him a lot,” said Scholes, who retired in 2013 following a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford and has recently joined BT Sport’s team of pundits. “From what I’ve seen in pre-season he looks a bit mad to me. He’s a bit like a mad genius, he looks a bit crazy.“I haven’t really come across him a lot,” said Scholes, who retired in 2013 following a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford and has recently joined BT Sport’s team of pundits. “From what I’ve seen in pre-season he looks a bit mad to me. He’s a bit like a mad genius, he looks a bit crazy.
“I think he’s brought a bit of fear back into the players, which is no bad thing. I played for 20 years for Sir Alex Ferguson and he could be a scary man. Sometimes fear can bring performances out from you. There’s no doubt these players need to perform this year or they won’t be there for very long. Players will know where they stand, which is what you want. You knew where you stood with Sir Alex Ferguson. This manager has great experience with proper clubs and has been successful. Hopefully he can bring a bit of that to us.”“I think he’s brought a bit of fear back into the players, which is no bad thing. I played for 20 years for Sir Alex Ferguson and he could be a scary man. Sometimes fear can bring performances out from you. There’s no doubt these players need to perform this year or they won’t be there for very long. Players will know where they stand, which is what you want. You knew where you stood with Sir Alex Ferguson. This manager has great experience with proper clubs and has been successful. Hopefully he can bring a bit of that to us.”
Scholes briefly returned to United at the end of last season as an assistant to Ryan Giggs following the sacking of David Moyes, as the team limped to a massively disappointing seventh place. “They didn’t have a great season. Confidence was at an all-time low,” he said. “I think this manager has brought the confidence back. You can’t take a lot from pre-season games but if you look back to last year it was a bit of a shambles. They got beat by an all-star Singha XI or something. Those things don’t happen to United.Scholes briefly returned to United at the end of last season as an assistant to Ryan Giggs following the sacking of David Moyes, as the team limped to a massively disappointing seventh place. “They didn’t have a great season. Confidence was at an all-time low,” he said. “I think this manager has brought the confidence back. You can’t take a lot from pre-season games but if you look back to last year it was a bit of a shambles. They got beat by an all-star Singha XI or something. Those things don’t happen to United.
“They’ll be a lot better this year. The first six games look favourable and if they can be near or top of the league at the end of those then you take it from there. They’ve got players who should be good enough. People like Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young took a lot of stick last season but you don’t become bad players overnight. These players know how to win leagues. It’s only Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, who have just come in, and Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini who haven’t won the league. I just worry that City and Chelsea have a bit too much for them.”“They’ll be a lot better this year. The first six games look favourable and if they can be near or top of the league at the end of those then you take it from there. They’ve got players who should be good enough. People like Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young took a lot of stick last season but you don’t become bad players overnight. These players know how to win leagues. It’s only Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, who have just come in, and Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini who haven’t won the league. I just worry that City and Chelsea have a bit too much for them.”
Since the end of last season United have lost the core of their last title-winning defence, with Rio Ferdinand moving to Queens Park Rangers and both Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra now based in Italy, at Internazionale and Juventus respectively. “That’s massive,” said Scholes. “When Rio and Vidic were on song it makes your job so much easier as a midfield player, because you know when it gets to your defence Rio is just going to take that ball off them. The midfield don’t have that freedom any more and maybe they don’t have so much confidence in their back line.Since the end of last season United have lost the core of their last title-winning defence, with Rio Ferdinand moving to Queens Park Rangers and both Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra now based in Italy, at Internazionale and Juventus respectively. “That’s massive,” said Scholes. “When Rio and Vidic were on song it makes your job so much easier as a midfield player, because you know when it gets to your defence Rio is just going to take that ball off them. The midfield don’t have that freedom any more and maybe they don’t have so much confidence in their back line.
“Normally it’s part of the team that doesn’t change too much. Now it’s time for other players to step up. The biggest thing with the three central defenders now is fitness. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans all seem to pick up quite a few injuries, which is worrying. I know Van Gaal likes Michael Keane and Tyler Blackett, but are they ready to come into a team and win the league yet? I’m not so sure. They are capable of getting close, but I think the best we can hope for is a Champions League place.”“Normally it’s part of the team that doesn’t change too much. Now it’s time for other players to step up. The biggest thing with the three central defenders now is fitness. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans all seem to pick up quite a few injuries, which is worrying. I know Van Gaal likes Michael Keane and Tyler Blackett, but are they ready to come into a team and win the league yet? I’m not so sure. They are capable of getting close, but I think the best we can hope for is a Champions League place.”
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