Manchester United fans have been reflecting on the club’s managerial history as the new season gathers pace, with discussions about the impact of past bosses dominating football talk shows and social media.
From tactical revolutions to cup triumphs, United’s managers have left lasting legacies that still influence the way the team is built today.
Young players coming through the academy are constantly reminded of the high standards set by those who wore the red of Old Trafford before them.
Meanwhile, pundits have debated which former managers had the biggest influence on the current crop of stars, especially when it comes to players who transitioned into coaching roles themselves.
With legends like Wayne Rooney recently sharing insights about his career, fans have been keen to hear who left the deepest impression on him.
In a surprising revelation, Wayne Rooney has named the best manager he worked under during his illustrious career, and the choice might raise eyebrows among football fans.
Despite winning five Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson and playing for iconic figures like Jose Mourinho and Fabio Capello, the 39-year-old has singled out another name.
Wayne Rooney opted to highlight Louis van Gaal, who managed him at Manchester United between 2014 and 2016.
‘The best I have worked under was Louis van Gaal, that might sound strange,’ Rooney said during an episode of the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show.
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‘Alex Ferguson knew exactly what he was doing and was a genius at what he did, but tactically, Louis van Gaal was streets ahead of anyone I have worked with.
‘I am talking tactically, Alex Ferguson was the best all around, but tactically, Louis van Gaal was incredible, you used to watch and just take everything in, how he prepared a team, how he set a team up defensively.’
Van Gaal guided United to the FA Cup during the 2015/16 season, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 in the final after extra time, but he was sacked just two days later following mixed league campaigns.
Rooney, who recently hit back at Michael Owen’s claims that he was the superior footballer at 17, revealed how Van Gaal’s style influenced his own coaching philosophy.
“The only thing was that you lost that little bit of freedom when you are attacking,” he said.
“At this time, I was on my journey of thinking I was going to go into coaching, so I was thinking I want to do this, but in the final third, I just give that little bit more freedom.
“Van Gaal was just incredible.
“His attention to detail, his training sessions were quite boring at times, but every player knew exactly what they were doing.
“He was the best by quite a long way.”
Rooney also noted that some players struggled with Van Gaal’s rigid system.
“I saw players dissolve, the central midfield player literally couldn’t move,” he added.
“We saw Di Maria and Falcao come in.
“You had to stay in your lane and in your channel.
“It was tough as an attacking player, but I think defensively, as he set up, it was so good.”
This insight offers a fascinating glimpse into how tactical discipline and meticulous preparation shaped both Rooney’s playing career and his managerial thinking, highlighting Van Gaal’s lasting influence on one of United’s greatest forwards.
