Louis van Gaal unveiled: 'The challenge is to win the Premier League,' says Manchester United's new manager

Van Gaal was officially unveiled at Old Trafford today

Louis van Gaal is unveiled at Manchester United alongside club ambassador Sir Bobby Charlton (GETTY IMAGES)

Louis van Gaal says he has come to "the biggest club in the world" Manchester United to win the Premier League, not finish fourth.

The manager was unveiled at United today, where he has replaced David Moyes. The Dutchman even snubbed a holiday and jetted straight back from Brazil after guiding the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup.

For Van Gaal, the target is simple for the 20-time league champions.

"The challenge is always to come first. Not fourth," the 62-year-old told reporters. "But that depends on things clicking between the players and manager."

Speaking about what it means to take the reins at Old Trafford, Van Gaal, who had previously managed Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax, said: "It's the biggest club in the world. Within two days I already know how important Manchester United is. I’ve worked at the number one clubs in Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. Now I’m at Manchester United – number one in England."

Van Gaal says he has spoken to the club's great manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who called to offer his congratulations when he was appointed United manager in May.

"He called me to congratulate me and we have spoken about a cup of coffee. We know each other very well and I shall drink coffee and drink wine with him, maybe the better wine!

"I have a strong philosophy. Sir Alex Ferguson did too, and he won a lot of titles. I hope I can do that."

The manager says it could be a month before he signs another player for the club. Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera have already joined the club this summer. Players who Van Gaal approved of before he joined.

"I want to look at the players here at present. I know the players but I have not trained and coached them. It will take three or four weeks to see what they can do before we buy other players.

"Shaw and Herrera were already on the list and I approved them because I liked them."

More to follow...