Liverpool boss Rodgers warns Van Gaal and Man Utd
Dutch coach has enjoyed a good start with United, but will he be ready for the Premier League?
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has warned Louis van Gaal not to expect instant success when his Manchester United side begin their Premier League campaign on Saturday week.
Confidence is high at Old Trafford that last season's disaster under David Moyes will prove just an aberration and memories of United's seventh place finish – their worse in the history of the Premier League – will be erased by Van Gaal.
The Dutchman, who took over this summer, has certainly got his United reign off to the best possible start, winning all five of the Red Devils' pre-season friendlies, including a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Sunday's International Champions Cup final in Miami.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Van Gaal was at pains to point out after that win that it would count for little unless United beat Swansea at Old Trafford on 16 August, when the new season kicks off. Now Rodgers has added his own note of caution as Liverpool lick their wounds after defeat to their bitter rivals.
"I think the competition will probably take him by surprise," said Rodgers, whose side squandered a 1-0 lead against United in Miami. "I think what he'll find is the competition in this league will be different to any other league that he's worked in."
With almost 30 years experience under his belt Van Gaal, who turns 63 this week, has one of the most impressive coaching CVs in world football. He has won silverware with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and steered Holland to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup. Yet Rodgers believes he's in for a shock at Old Trafford.
However, the players will be up for the challenge, he adds. "Domestically, for the last 20 years, they've been champions 13 times. So the players there will want to do better for themselves. They will be disappointed with where they finished last year... they will want to push on."
Rodgers also struck a downbeat note when asked about his own team's chances after their near miss in the title race last season. "We're still a work in progress really," he said. "We made great strides last year and the expectancy for us is to improve again. But our task is to make sure we're in the Champions League again next year."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published