• Premier League

Van Gaal: Every player wants to play for United

Louis van Gaal says "every player" he has spoken to since becoming Manchester United manager wants to play for the club.

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola last week suggested that Van Gaal had contacted several of his players but United "do not have enough money".

But Van Gaal has dismissed the claim, saying he is yet to be turned down by a potential target.

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"Every player I have contacted wants to play for Manchester United, in spite of the fact that we are not playing in the Champions League this season," Van Gaal told The Guardian.

"The players are still willing to come. It is unbelievable but it is because of the greatness of this club. They all believe in the project we have started now but I will say again that it has only just started. It still needs time."

In the outgoing department, Van Gaal raised a few eyebrows by allowing Danny Welbeck to join rivals Arsenal - but the Dutchman is not concerned considering his current striking options include Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and deadline day loan signing Radamel Falcao - as well as Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson.

"That makes five strikers of quality," he said. "And it is up to me to choose between them. I know that Januzaj has not made many appearances this season, but he has to compete with some very good players in the system we are using. He might have more chance of playing in a 4-3-3."

Van Gaal was also keen to reiterate that the likes of Falcao and Angel Di Maria - a British record £60 million signing from Real Madrid - will not receive preferential treatment.

He added: "It would not be a problem for me to promote a player from the youth team, even over a big-money singing, if he deserved it. Money alone doesn't say anything. Quality says everything.

"You have seen it. In my previous clubs I have always given young players a chance. At Barcelona I gave debuts to Xavi, to Iniesta, to Puyol, to Valdés. At Bayern I can mention Badstuber, Mueller and Alaba.

"I always want to promote youth but the young player has to take their chance. You don't get endless opportunities, because when you are too long at a club without making a breakthrough there is a danger you can get used to being a substitute. I don't like that.

"You always need hunger to play in the first team. Talented young players can provide a lot of stimulation to a group, but I think you have to refresh the squad every year to keep the hunger. I have done that at all my clubs."

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