Sir Alex Ferguson Gives Backing to Manchester United Manager Louis Van Gaal

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the “formidable” Louis van Gaal to restore the club’s fortunes.

The 63-year-old Dutchman is currently attempting to revitalize United after replacing David Moyes at Old Trafford in the summer.

Writing in his updated autobiography, Ferguson described Van Gaal as “a good choice”.

He said: “Louis, who took the job, is what I would call a managers’ coach. He’s one of these committed ultra-professionals. Football is his life.

“Wherever he has managed, every footballer will have learned from him. He’s strong, single-minded, as he showed again with the Netherlands at the World Cup – a marvelously entertaining tournament which supported my earlier point about teams counter-attacking nowadays en masse.

“I like Louis and have always had a good rapport with him. If I had to choose one word for him it would be ‘formidable’.

“His urge is to play attractive football. He likes to watch players play and players train and to be involved at all levels, including in the development of young players.

“His background at Ajax shows that his faith in youth will not diminish. He was a good choice.”