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New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that has taken over a “broken squad” at Old Trafford.
The Dutch manager succeeded David Moyes after the Scot had a torrid time at the club, failing to qualify for the Champions League and failing to sign required talent to build the squad. The only marquee signing Moyes made was Juan Mata with Marouane Fellaini’s not delivering goods in his first season.
And Van Gaal was referring to the squad lacking any balance with the players currently at United.
When he was asked about whether it would have been easier to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson instead of Moyes, Van Gaal said: “No. I don’t agree. I had to follow Bobby Robson at Barcelona the year after he won three titles (1997) and there wasn’t a problem.” Van Gaal won the league twice in the next two years.
“When there is success you have a very good squad and now I have to follow and the squad was broken I think.”
Van Gaal: Too many players in the same position
The Dutch manager added: “When you look at the squad, there is quality. There is [Wayne] Rooney, [Robin] van Persie, [Javier] Hernández, [Danny] Welbeck but you also see Juan Mata, [Marouane] Fellaini and you see [Ander] Herrera.
“There are a lot of players that can play in the same position.”
“It is not in balance. It’s more difficult to succeed in a difficult situation than in a fantastic situation.”
Not buying players for the sake of it
He also said: “I don’t buy players for the sake of it. I buy players to improve my selection. First, I must see what I need in all the positions from the system we shall play and, at this moment, I don’t know for sure.
“That’s why I chose this system, I can play them all. But (Javier) Hernandez can also play in the strIker’s position, so can (Danny) Welbeck.
“Rooney can play at No 10 and No 9 and he tells me he can also play at No 11 and No 7, but I prefer him at 9 or 10.”
“When you look at the quality of your players – you see Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez, Mata, Welbeck, (Marouane) Fellaini, (Ander) Herrera a lot of players can play this system.”
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