Bruuge star Vazquez eyes Man Utd scalp as he prepares to face former boss Van Gaal

Vazquez hailed Van Gaal as one of the best coaches in world football

BRUGGE playmaker Victor Vazquez is hoping to strike a major blow to his old coach Louis van Gaal.

 

The Belgian side are 11-1 shots to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, but Vazquez believes it would be foolish for the hosts to underestimate their opponents.

"We are the smaller team but they have to be worried. We are playing with confidence and we can be dangerous," Vazquez said.

 

Most of the players in the Bruge team will be unfamiliar to United fans but Van Gaal knows all about Vazquez.

The Spaniard came through Barcelona's famous youth academy, La Masia, during Van Gaal's two spells as manager of the Catalan giants.

Vazquez has brief but positive memories of the Dutchman.

 

Victor Vazquez was part of barcelona's youth academy when Louis van Gaal was Barca manager

Vazquez said: "I met him in Barcelona. I was young, maybe 11 or 12 years old but my impression was that he was a really hard coach with a lot of character and personality, just like he is now.

"I didn't meet him a lot of times but I think he is one of the biggest coaches in football, for sure."

Bruge beat Greek side Panathinaikos 4-1 on aggregate to qualify for the playoff round. They have lost just once in the league this term but eight of their players are missing through injury for this first leg.