Netherlands World Cup 2014 profile: Louis van Gaal leads an exciting Dutch team

Manchester United fans will get a first look at their new boss in Brazil

(Getty Images)

New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal led the Netherlands through a near-perfect qualification campaign, seeing his team drop just two points from their 10 matches.

Always the bridesmaid but never the bride, the Oranje will be hoping 2014 is the year they finally get over their final hoodoo.

Van Gaal, known as a master disciplinarian, has his team playing in a typical Dutch style with two wingers – one of which will be Arjen Robben – feeding star man Robin van Persie.

Midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong still occupies the central areas, but Van Gaal has options around him, with Welsy Sneijder, Daley Blind and Georginio WIjnaldum among those vying for the two places.

It wouldn’t be a Dutch World Cup training camp without some kind of controversy, and that came with some robust challenges on Robben by Feyernoord defender Bruno Martins Indi – after a couple of over the top tackles, Robben reacted and the pair had to be separated.

Always a pleasure to watch, there will be extra interest from England in the Dutch squad because of Van Gaal’s involvement.