Indeed, in his post match interview, following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s late headed victor against Leicester City in United’s 2-1 Community Shield victory, Van Gaal was among the unexpected recipients of the Portuguese’s gratitude.
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has dedicated his team’s Community Shield success to former United boss Louis van Gaal.
Mourinho is has taken the helm during a disappointing spell for United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
He told BT Sport: “It feels good. The only one I can compare it to is Milan”. The forward had a quiet debut after signing on a free transfer from PSG this summer but has targeted more trophies after a winning start.
“It’s for the seven people who were not selected – Ashley Young, Phil Jones, all of them – and also to Louis van Gaal”.
Bailly, 22, was impressive and there’s little reason why he can’t start in United’s opening Premier league game at Bournemouth next Sunday.
“I was, and I am, very curious to see Leicester, see what we can do this season”.
“It feels good. First official game”.
“Something big is going on with our team”, Ibrahimovic said, before walking with his teammates up the Wembley steps to lift the shield to explosions of ticker-tape.
The England winger picked up a ball in the midfield and made a wonderful run into the box – blowing by a few Leicester City players – before beating goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who got a touch on the ball, but couldn’t keep it out.
“Zlatan will be more unsafe when we are more dominant and play closest to the box”, he said.
Arsenal’s rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, are 9/1 (10.0) to win the Premier League – alongside Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the betting – while Leicester City are chalked up as a 28/1 (29.0) chance to retain the crown following their sensational title triumph last season.
Nani also stated that he expects Mourinho’s United to outperform Van Gaals side of last season.
Okazaki was denied by the crossbar a minute later when he met Marc Albrighton’s corner with a powerful header as the champions served a warning of their offensive threat.
With Ibrahimovic and Rooney both dropping deep, United lacked an attacking focal point, but in the 32nd minute Lingard took matters into his own hands. Jesse Lingard’s winning goal in the FA Cup final was a spectacular effort and his contribution to getting the Mourinho era up and running was even better.
Within minutes, United’s celebrating fans were singing: “Pogba’s coming home!”
He streaked away down the left and, although his ball inside was poor, Fellaini’s attempted back-pass was weak and Vardy nipped in ahead of De Gea and levelled the scores.
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Ibrahimovic saw little of the ball in the Leicester box until he scored the victor with only his second effort at goal and his partnership with Wayne Rooney is clearly in its early stages.
