Former United assistant Rene Meulensteen says the fans are right to demand better football from the Dutchman and that the players must start playing with freedom
Manchester United have forgotten their obligation to entertain under Louis van Gaal, according to former assistant manager Rene Meulensteen.
United face Crystal Palace in Saturday’s FA Cup final having finished fifth in the Premier League this season, missing out on qualification for the Champions League.
But Meulensteen, who served under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, says the lack of results is not Van Gaal’s only concern in trying to win back the faith of the United supporters.
“I know where the fans are coming from because I’ve been part of the Manchester United set-up for over 12 years so I knew what was required and what Sir Alex Ferguson demanded,” Meulensteen explained to 888sport.
“Yes there was pressure to win and get results but the way we got those results was always very important as well.
“The obligation to entertain and play attacking and creative football was always the first thing on the sheet. Van Gaal realised 1-0 wins could win you leagues but there are different ways of winning 1-0.
“With adventure comes freedom to express. You need to give players the freedom to express themselves and allow them to make their own decisions. From that comes belief.”
United’s difficulties in entertaining their public this season have heaped pressure on Van Gaal, resulting in boos ringing out as the manager addressed Old Trafford following their final league game against Bournemouth.
But Meulensteen says criticism is understandable given the way that standards have dropped since Ferguson’s time in charge.
“Everyone refers to Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment but in my time I can’t recall that happening very often. It’s all about timing and knowing what to do and what to say and how to say it,” he added.
“The standards of Sir Alex Ferguson were always the highest and he didn’t accept anything else so he would be willing to change things at half-time to turn it around and he would address it after the game.
“He made it very clear that nobody would get away with a performance like that and that would carry on through the following week of training. Then, boom, you had everything back again.”
Read the full 888sport interview with Rene Meulensteen here including his thoughts on how Marcus Rashford can flourish at Manchester United and why Scholes is right to criticise Louis van Gaal.