Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal labelled 'formidable' by Sir Alex Ferguson

Former United manager says he likes his latest successor

Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the "formidable" Louis van Gaal to restore the club's fortunes.

The 63-year-old Dutchman is currently attempting to revitalise United after replacing David Moyes at Old Trafford in the summer.

Writing in his updated autobiography, Ferguson described Van Gaal as "a good choice".

He said: "Louis, who took the job, is what I would call a managers' coach. He's one of these committed ultra-professionals. Football is his life.

"Wherever he has managed, every footballer will have learned from him. He's strong, single-minded, as he showed again with the Netherlands at the World Cup - a marvellously entertaining tournament which supported my earlier point about teams counter-attacking nowadays en masse.

"I like Louis and have always had a good rapport with him. If I had to choose one word for him it would be 'formidable'."

Ferguson continued: "His urge is to play attractive football. He likes to watch players play and players train and to be involved at all levels, including in the development of young players.

"His background at Ajax shows that his faith in youth will not diminish. He was a good choice."

Ferguson also applauded Van Gaal's decision to appoint former midfielder Ryan Giggs, who took over from Moyes on a caretaker basis, as his assistant.

Predicting that the Welshman would thrive under the older man's influence, he said: "Louis could help Giggs learn about this business. In turn, Ryan could help Louis in understanding the inner workings of United.

"As I look back on all those trophies, and those 963 appearances and 168 goals, I recall him as a physical freak. How he could have performed at the level he played at for all those years is beyond me.

"With Giggs I found perfection."

The additions to Ferguson's story also include his reflections on a series of opposing managers, with an old foe - Arsenal's Arsene Wenger - among them.

Wenger's Gunners ended a long wait for a trophy with a 3-2 FA Cup final victory over Hull in May, and while that meant disappointment for one of the Scot's acolytes, Steve Bruce, he did not begrudge the Frenchman his success, and admitted he could come close to beating his 26 years in the same job.

Ferguson said: "Arsene has always been dogged and determined about his beliefs and has never succumbed to pressure to change.

"The standard and the method have been consistent. He has always been good at acquiring and developing young players. He is never afraid to play young people - which is bold, because young players are not fully formed.

"Who is to say that Arsene will not beat my record? I have my doubts, but he's having a good crack at it."

PA