Louis van Gaal seems to have tightened his belt for the upcoming league games after a dismissal start of the campaign. However, the bigger problem for him is not the class but availability as most of the star liners are out for injuries especially in the defense area where Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, and Phil Jones are not available for different reasons. In other areas too situation is not comfortable for the Dutchman, in fact, captain Rooney is also passing through suspension so Gaal has indeed limited options but still he does not want to make an easy journey for any aspiring player into the final eleven. In short, new manager is finding it difficult to cope with the pressing situations at the helm and this is exactly the time he needs to prove himself otherwise there is no point in differentiating him from that of former sacked manager David Moyes who also said recently to have been in the similar situation but bosses never gave him some time to settle down at Old Trafford – don’t know why he is making a comparison now!
Normally, it is expected that senior players would get a priority when finalizing the last eleven but for Gaal this rule of thumb does not work hence he calls each aspiring player to prove his worth in the training ground no matter how big or experienced he is. Though, he has shown his respect for the legendry players, yet never promised for an easy go through into the side. Talking about his action plan for the remaining season, former Barcelona manager said, “Nobody is walking back in my team. You have to earn it on the training ground — every player knows that. I have great respect for the players I use at this moment and I have also the confidence in these players.
“When you mention Rooney, Carrick and Jones — of course they are great football players, but we have more great football players. Sometimes the other football players are doing better. It is not only the name. I have seen, for example, the youngest player, McNair, was outstanding in his first match. You have seen the reaction of the fans. Every time he touched the ball — applause.
“Of course Jones, Evans and Smalling were not available, but I am always thinking that youngsters can take the job over, especially one or two games.”