Ahead of the big clash between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal made a number of gaffes during his pre-match press conference. The Dutch boss also gave hints about his future at the club.
The Foxes can win the Premier League title at Old Trafford on Sunday if they come away with all three points. Tottenham Hotspur are seven points behind with three games to go and a win would see Claudio Ranieri’s side move to 79 points – an unassailable lead at the top.
Van Gaal mentioned that Leicester City becoming champions comes as no surprise to him. “I was the first who said that they could be the champions,” he said. “So for me it is not a surprise.”
He also felt that it was good for the Premier League that the Foxes could win the title and it ensures that the same teams don’t finish the season as champions.
Van Gaal gets United players’ trophy count wrong
But when Van Gaal was asked whether it would be unusual to see a club like United hosting a Foxes side who are potential champions, he mentioned a few of his own players had never been champions – including David De Gea.
“The players who are now playing, they are not used to being champions,” Van Gaal said.
“I don’t think Matteo Darmian is used to being a champion and David De Gea was never [a] champion.” De Gea had won the Premier League title in the 2012/13 season – the final season under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“So I don’t agree with the way you make the question,” Van Gaal continued.
“Memphis Depay was a champion last year [at PSV Eindhoven] so not many players. [Wayne] Rooney, [Michael] Carrick, they have been the champions once, or maybe more than once.”
For the record, both Rooney and Carrick have been Premier League champions five times – including three titles in a row between 2006 to 2009.
Van Gaal on his future at Old Trafford
Numerous reports have linked former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho with a move to Manchester United and the rumours have gathered steam in the past few months. Van Gaal was signed on a three-year contract in 2014 and he is currently in his second season at the club.
But results have not gone their way even after spending more than £250m in the transfer market. The club finished in the top four last season but have slipped up this season in spite of leading the table earlier this season.
When asked if he was already planning for next season, Van Gaal said: “I am involved, so that is not really any discussion.
“That is also logical, because I am the manager.”
