Louis van Gaal sticks boot into Jose Mourinho by claiming he'd rather watch Manchester City than United
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Louis van Gaal has stuck the boot into Jose Mourinho and said he would rather watch Manchester City than his former club Manchester United.
Mourinho is still reeling from United's 2-1 derby defeat to City and the tunnel bust-up involving him and Pep Guardiola's side that has prompted an FA investigation.
Now Van Gaal, whom Mourinho succeeded at United, has weighed in, branding his old club “far more boring” now than under him, as well as lauding Pep's City, who have an 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
“I would rather watch City play than United,” said Van Gaal.
“You need quality in a squad and it's clear City have a better squad.
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(Image: AFP)
"If you ask me how did I do at United, I will say it was my best year ever, given the circumstances I was working under.
“We played football that was quite alright. But it's not football that is appreciated in England.
“And yet, right now, looking at United, I have to conclude Mourinho is not being criticized while it's far more boring football.
“What United produce now is defensive football. I always played attacking football. The proof is that the opposition were always parking the bus.
“They don’t do that now because Jose Mourinho plays so defensive."
(Image: AFP)
(Image: Michael Regan)
(Image: John Peters)
Van Gaal said he has no problem with Mourinho, his former assistant at Barcelona, for taking his job at United in the summer of 2016.
But the Dutchman cannot say the same for United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who sacked him 24 hours after Van Gaal won the FA Cup.
“He [Mourinho] is not an awful man,” said Van Gaal. “In fact, I think he is a sympathetic guy. He was my assistant at Barcelona.
“I worked with him and what Mourinho did [taking his job] is what often happens in football.’’
“I have more problems with the CEO, Ed Woodward. He never discussed anything with me - and you can talk about anything with me.
(Image: Getty)
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“With all my experience, I know the unwritten laws of football. A club has to prepare for the future.
“I can understand that and they should have approached me. Ed could talk to me but he did not.’
“My wife had to find out when she was in the lift with Woodward’s family.
They said something like 'This is going to be awkward for Ed',” said Van Gaal.
“My wife had sussed them out ages ago. She warned me that something was going on.’’