Van Gaal confidence and aura the perfect fit for Man utd

Attacking and free-flowing football has very much been apart of his philosophy since his time at his first club as a manager Ajax, and he certainly has the players such as Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata to carry that on.

Signings, however, will be a necessity this summer when Van Gaal returns from the World Cup. Long-term centre back pillars Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have already confirmed their departure from the club, while legend Ryan Giggs has finally decided to hang his boots up to sit beside the new boss in the dugout.

The midfield is also a big problem, with the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Tom Cleverley and Anderson proving they do not have the consistent quality expected at United.

Van Gaal certainly has his connections, and rumoured targets Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller, who both played under the Dutchman at Munich, could be swayed into linking up with him again.

Other names that have been strongly linked with the Red Devils include defenders Luke Shaw, Mats Hummels, Ezequiel Garay and Everton duo Seamus Coleman and John Stones. In midfield, another Toffees star Ross Barkley along with Adam Lallana are reported targets, while unsettled Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic is also in the frame.

Compatriots of Van Gaal who have been linked are Arjen Robben (12/1 to join in the summer), Kevin Strootman and Jordy Clasie. Unsettled Barcelona attacker Cesc Fabregas and former United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo are priced at 7/1 and 20/1 respectively to be at the club next season.

Youth development is also a big part of Van Gaal’s ethos, having given Muller and Holger Badstuber their first chances at Bayern, and said: “You do not only do it with stars, but also with youth players.”

The likes of Adnan Januzaj, Phil Jones and James Wilson as well as players loaned out by Moyes including Nick Powell, Wilfried Zaha and Jesse Lingard, plus others who may join this summer would surely benefit.

Similarities with Van Gaal and Sir Alex Ferguson are certainly there, including many fallouts with high-profile names, and these look like more exciting times for United than last summer.

When asked about Ferguson, Van Gaal said: “I will certainly go for a drink with him. I’ve often done it before. We are like each other, I always put more pressure on myself than other people do.”

Coral offer specials on the new appointment. Van Gaal is 11/10 to see out his three-year contract (4/6 to not), 11/8 to win a major trophy in his first season and evens to get his new side to finish above rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

Ryan Giggs, meanwhile, is priced at 5/1 to be next Man Utd boss, and Robin van Persie is evens to be named captain by Van Gaal.

The Dutch manager won the Champions League with Ajax, and is 7/2 to do so with the Red Devils at any point as well.