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Former midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes that newly-instated Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal can lead the Red Devils to the Premier League title, if he has a successful debut transfer window at the club. While the ex-Bayern midfielder also stated that Ryan Giggs and Van Gaal could be the perfect combination.
The 62-year-old Dutchman signed a three-year-deal to take charge at Old Trafford once he has completed his commitments to the Netherlands at the World Cup this summer.
United finished a disappointing seventh place in the Premier League last season and it is widely believed a major overhaul of their squad is necessary to compete for silverware.
However, Hargreaves, who spent four years at the club, is adamant Van Gaal can be an instant success.
“If they can get the players necessary I don’t doubt that Van Gaal could even lead them to the title. But they need to have a great summer.
“I doubt anything less than minimum Champions League [qualification] and even potentially competing for the title would be sufficient for him. I can’t imagine him coming there to finish fourth.
“He has been so successful everywhere he’s been, so I don’t think they could have had a better option at this point.
“His sides play good football, they try and dominate possession and wait for that opening and I think United fans will be excited,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Canadian born midfielder also sang the praises of Ryan Giggs, who has finally hung up his boots after a glittering career in order to take up an assistant managerial role alongside Van Gaal.
“Nobody knows Manchester United better than Ryan Giggs.
“He is arguably the greatest player ever to play for the club and still commands the respect of the current players and has that connection to the fans.
“To have Giggsy, with his knowledge of playing at Manchester United, learning under one of the most well-prepared coaches in the modern game – it’s just a perfect combo,” the ex-England international declared.Manchester United finished the 2013/14 Premier League season a huge 22 points behind eventual champions Manchester City.
