Louis van
Gaal insists it is inconceivable that Manchester United will endure
another title drought as long as the one traditional rivals Liverpool
are on ahead of their trip to Anfield on Sunday.
Jurgen
Klopp's men are still searching for their maiden Premier League crown,
and despite their difficult campaign so far Van Gaal sees no reason to
believe United's dominance could be on the wane.
Defeat
at Anfield will increase pressure on the Dutchman's Old Trafford future
after their latest setback when they blew a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 at
struggling Newcastle on Tuesday night.
But Van Gaal
repeated his assertion that his side is 'in transition' and require
patience rather than panic before they reclaim their almost customary
position at the top of the table.
Van Gaal said: 'I am part of the transition so I cannot imagine that it shall happen with Manchester United.
'When
it is happening to Liverpool it can also happen to Manchester United
but I cannot imagine that because we are going the right way, but maybe
it shall take a longer time.
'But
I cannot imagine it will be the same for Manchester United. It's too
big, too well organised and we have an infrastructure and we are
improving that every year.'
|
United striker Wayne Rooney scores from the penalty spot during the 3-3 draw with the Magpies |
Quite how
far the patience will stretch is another matter but Van Gaal is well
aware of how much a victory at Anfield could improve the mood among
restless United supporters.
'I
have felt it (the rivalry) already four times, on the tour of the USA
and in the league. You can see it on the faces of the players,' added
Van Gaal.
'We
need to be aggressive but also under control. It is that kind of match
and it will always be difficult because the passion at play in these
kinds of games is always very high.'
Van
Gaal and Klopp faced each other four times in the Bundesliga when in
charge of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively, with each
boss claiming two wins each.
And
the Dutchman believes his opposite number has already proven to have
the ability required to move Liverpool closer to finally ending their
quarter-century title drought.
Van Gaal
said: 'You can see he plays a very aggressive and pressing kind of game
and he already knows the difference between the Premier League and the
German league.
'He
is a very capable manager in the Premier League because he has always
showed this kind of football and I think the fans will love it.'
Van
Gaal is once again set to be without Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil
Jones but Adnan Januzaj could feature from the bench following his
return from a loan spell in Germany.
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United goalkeeper David de Gea punches a shot clear over his crossbar during the draw with Newcastle |
Meanwhile
Van Gaal shrugged off suggestions that the transfer embargo imposed on
Real Madrid this week could affect the future of goalkeeper David De
Gea.
The
Spanish giants had been expected to launch another bid for the player
in the summer but have now been banned by FIFA from buying new players
until the middle of 2017.
Van Gaal insisted: 'I don't think that is the kind of thing that plays on the mind of David De Gea.
'I
never thought about it in the period before the transfer window and now
I am seeing David De Gea who is enjoying to stay here and play good
games.'
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