Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has revealed that he did not have a fruitful relationship with Louis van Gaal during their time together at Old Trafford. The Welshman had worked as the first-team coach during the Dutchman’s two-year tenure, where a number of United fan favourites were sold.
Van Gaal set his mind up to rebuild the squad during his reign, and he released a host of players from the Ferguson era including Robin van Persie, Nani and Javier Hernandez. However, in an exclusive on The Times, Giggs admitted that he wanted to keep hold of the likes of Rafael da Silva, Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans at Old Trafford, although he could not influence the manager’s decision.
“I know what a Manchester United player looks like. There have been a lot who have come through that haven’t been United players and also players who were United players and shouldn’t have left. I’m talking about Rafael [Da Silva], [Danny] Welbeck, Jonny Evans — players who are United through and through,” he said.
“It was hard because Louis had his own ideas and you had to respect that, but, yes, we had a few arguments about a couple of them. He understood because I had played with those lads, but they just weren’t for him.”
Rafael and Welbeck have turned out valuable additions for Lyon and Arsenal respectively over the years, and they could have proved valuable options off the bench under Jose Mourinho.
Meanwhile, Evans have overcome his minor niggles since his switch to West Bromwich Albion, and he is now regarded one of the Premier League’s consistent centre-backs, thus attracting interest from both Manchester City and Arsenal.
Manchester United had to overlook former players in order to rebuild a squad, but Van Gaal took the wrong step to offload a few, who could have turned out as important members of the first-team in the long-run.
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