Louis van Gaal has admitted he feels under pressure to deliver at Manchester United after being given Sir Alex Ferguson’s public backing at Old Trafford.
Ferguson, who saw his anointed successor David Moyes sacked less than a year after taking charge at the club, voiced his belief earlier this week that Van Gaal was ‘a great coach and he will do well’.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach has so far lifted United to third in the Premier League after inheriting a team which finished seventh and failed to qualify for European competition last season.
But despite his short-term success at the club, Van Gaal insists that, while he welcomes Ferguson’s praise, his words also intensify the importance of proving the Scot right.
“It’s fantastic,” Van Gaal said. “When you come to Manchester United, because I know Sir Alex, you hope that he will support you.
“And when he is supporting you, he is doing that not only this week, but in other press conferences he gave.
“He showed a lot of confidence and belief in me and you need that as a trainer/coach, as manager of Manchester United.
“You need that belief and support of managers like Sir Alex, but also from Sir Bobby Charlton or David Gill. They have the belief.
“I am very happy with that because then you can work more easily, but it’s also pressure because he believes in you.
“That gives you that pressure that you have to get results. And it’s not so easy to win Premier League matches.”
United face Newcastle at Old Trafford on Boxing Day aiming to keep pace with leaders Chelsea, who moved three points clear at the top – and ten points ahead of United – with a 2-0 win at Stoke on Monday.
Alan Pardew’s team were one of seven clubs to claim all three points at Old Trafford last season, with Yohan Cabaye’s winner ending Newcastle’s 42-year winless streak on United’s home turf.
But with United losing just once at home this season under Van Gaal, in a 2-1 opening day loss to Swansea, the Dutchman believes his team are now restoring the fear factor to Old Trafford.
“We want to build a fortress at Old Trafford, but we have made that already because we have won a lot,” Van Gaal said. “We have also done it with very great results such as 3-0 and 4-0.
“I’m happy with that, but then we have to continue because seven (home wins so far) is too few I think.
“So we have to continue and that’s the most difficult point because it is not easy to win games in the Premier League.”
As a result of United’s improving home form, Van Gaal believes that opponents are now altering their tactics in an attempt to stifle their attacking qualities.
“Maybe that’s true, but they can play how they want because that is their right, I’ve always said that,” Van Gaal said. “That’s why it’s more difficult.
“My record in away matches is not so bad when you compare it with my home matches as a trainer/coach because away the teams are more open, but here they want to defend which is why it’s more difficult.
“That’s why we want to create a certain play style where we can dominate.
“I am saying every week that we are dominating for 45/60 minutes, but we must do it for 90 minutes. We did that against Hull, which was a very good match.”
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