Van Gaal Criticizes Manchester United’s Pre-Season US Tour Amid Preparation Concerns
Manchester United’s new manager, Louis Van Gaal, is currently in the United States with the team ahead of their friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy in Pasadena tonight. Despite the excitement around the tour, the Dutch coach has openly expressed his reservations about such trips, questioning their value for proper preparation.
“There’s a lot of traveling, a lot of flights, and the players have to deal with jet lag. It’s not ideal for preparation,” Van Gaal commented, highlighting the physical toll on the squad.
However, the former Netherlands boss is adjusting to the situation, acknowledging that the US tour was arranged before his appointment. Since 2002, Manchester United have regularly undertaken such tours, which are driven more by commercial interests than purely sporting reasons, something Van Gaal cannot influence.
While these tours help expand the club’s global brand, Van Gaal’s remarks underline the challenges of balancing commercial commitments with optimal team readiness.
