• Premier League

Wenger: Van Gaal will return United to title race

ESPN staff
July 12, 2014
Giggs: Van Gaal can't wait to get started

Arsene Wenger says Louis van Gaal will make Manchester United title contenders once again next season.

Van Gaal will take up his post at United following today's World Cup third-place play-off between the Netherlands and Brazil.

Arsene Wenger believes Louis van Gaal proved his tactical nous by bringing on Tim Krul for the penalty shootout against Costa Rica © Getty Images
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Arsenal manager Wenger believes the Dutchman has proved at the tournament that he is ready to turn United's fortunes around after their dismal campaign last season.

"He is going to be a fantastic manager in the Premier League," Wenger told beIN Sports.

"I liked how the decisions he made were clear, how the timing of his decisions were always right and in my opinion it was the right decision every time.

"I am sure that Manchester United will be competitors this year for the championship and that will be more interesting.

"Because he can beat maybe Arsenal but then he might lose to Chelsea, then you've got Manchester City as well as Liverpool. So yes, it's going to be an interesting league."

Wenger was particularly impressed by Van Gaal's decision to bring on Tim Krul for the quarter-final penalty shootout against Costa Rica.

Krul went on to save two spot-kicks and send the Netherlands into the semi-finals, where they lost out on penalties to Argentina.

"It was a decision that was meant to impact psychologically on the penalty takers, on the other team and on that front, it was a clever decision," Wenger added.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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