Louis Van Gaal did not hold back in laying out his criticisms for both managers who came after him at Manchester United, denying claims that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made any significant improvements.
He told the BBC, “The coach after me [Mourinho] changed to park the bus tactics and played on the counter. Now there is another coach who parks the bus and plays on the counter.
“The main difference between Mourinho and Solskjaer is that Solskjaer is winning. It is also true that Solskjaer has changed Paul Pogba’s position and put him into an area where he is much more important.
“But the way Manchester United are playing now is not the way Ferguson played. It is defensive, counter-attacking football. If you like it, you like it.
“If you think it is more exciting than my boring attacking, OK. But it is not my truth.
“They can also win the Champions League because they play a defensive system and it is very difficult to beat them, which, whether you like it or not, is the result of Mourinho’s work.”
Jose Mourinho previously had hit out at Van Gaal’s decision to play Marcus Rashford when he was only desperate for more attacking options. In reply, the Dutchman said, “I read something from Mourinho saying I only did that out of necessity. Not true. I created the necessity.
“Manchester United had over 30 players. I brought them back to 23. Then I had an open selection for the youth academy. I did that at every club.
“That is why a lot of young players have made their debuts with me.
“A lot of trainers, like Mourinho, never give youngsters a chance. Yes, five minutes. Solskjaer, 10 minutes. That is not a chance. A chance is a game.”
See Also: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Set To Be Handed Manchester United Job
