LOUIS VAN GAAL has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United – accusing Old Trafford chiefs of breaking their transfer promises to him.
The Dutchman was sacked in 2016 after two years in charge of the Red Devils and has now slammed the club only ever buying “seventh choice” transfer targets.
He led United to one trophy, winning the FA Cup two days before his dismissal, but only achieved fourth and fifth-place Premier League finishes.
Van Gaal, 68, has now claimed he was not allowed to sign the players he wanted despite United’s vast wealth.
Despite that, he did manage 14 buys in total, including £59.7million Angel Di Maria and £57.6m Anthony Martial for a total expenditure of £293.6m.
The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach hit out in Dutch magazine Voetbal International.
LVG said: “Manchester United didn’t have the quality needed to win the Premier League. They had an ageing squad, with ten players over 30 and five over 35.
“So I told the club I wanted to rejuvenate the side, and said which players I wanted to sign.
“But I didn’t get a single one of them. I ended up having to look in a different category, and had to adjust my limits.
“I didn’t expect something like this at the richest club in the world. They had a turnover of £600million, yet couldn’t buy the players they needed.
“You have to buy your first-choice players, not your seventh choices.”
Van Gaal continued: “Of course selling clubs also think about United: ‘If you’re so rich, you’ve got to pay the top price for our player.’ That was what happened in transfers.
“As a result I had to make do with players who were seventh or eighth on my wish list.
“We still paid too much for them – and I as the coach ended up being criticised and judged.
“When I left United I demanded they paid me every penny they owed me, as they had not kept their promises.
“The owners and directors had backed my vision for the club, which I set out in great detail. It is the same as I did with Barcelona and Bayern.
“I prepare discussions like this very well, and they often take long. I want everything to be clear.
“I interview the club’s people,, rather than vice versa. If we reach agreement, and they have the financial means, I spell out which players I want to sign.
“But if they then don’t deliver what they promised, they have to pay.
“Despite all the disappointments at Manchester United, we still won the FA Cup.
“What I did with United was the greatest achievement of my career.”
