Louis van Gaal: Why I had to axe 25 players at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal is happy with the 'balance' in his Manchester United squad

LOUIS VAN GAAL has revealed why he conducted a huge clear-out at Manchester United this summer.

 

United boss Van Gaal has spent nearly £300million since replacing David Moyes after the 2014 World Cup.

But the Dutchman has also cleared the decks at Old Trafford, with 15 players leaving the club permanently this summer.

High-profile stars like Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez, Angel Di Maria, Nani, Tom Cleverley, Jonny Evans and Rafael were moved on.

Another seven youngsters have been sent out on loan, such as Adnan Januzaj and Tyler Blackett.

And Van Gaal believes he had to overhaul his squad so drastically to improve the 'balance' at United.

"You need luck, but the balance of the team is better than last season," he said.

 

Another seven youngsters have been sent out on loan, such as Adnan Januzaj and Tyler Blackett.

And Van Gaal believes he had to overhaul his squad so drastically to improve the 'balance' at United.

"You need luck, but the balance of the team is better than last season," he said.

 

"Because of that we need to win our games. We shall improve every week, yes.

"I don't see it every week, but see that we are better as a team and a selection.

"I rotate more now because I can. Last year, in my opinion, I didn't have the balance.



Van Gaal has wielded the axe of a number of players from the Sir Alex Ferguson era

"I have let 20 or 25 players go. So it's a new team."

Van Gaal was ruthless in his first summer in charge too, letting club stalwarts Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra leave.

Wilfried Zaha, Anderson, Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa, Bebe and Alexander Buttner were also axed by the 64-year-old.