Van Gaal will get the players he wants, says Schmeichel

SINGAPORE — Even if he shied away from calling Louis van Gaal the “right” man for Manchester United, former Old Trafford great Peter Schmeichel (picture) is already impressed with the Dutchman’s pulling power.

In Singapore for Sony Mobile, Schmeichel met and mingled with fans at various events over the weekend.

The Dane told TODAY that 62-year-old Van Gaal, appointed last month as manager of United, has secured the services of the players he wants to bring the Premier League title back to the red half of Manchester.

“I know it for a fact that we have a choice of all the players we want. So whomever Van Gaal wants, he can have them,” said Schmeichel, 50, who won five Premier League titles with United. “I spoke with (United executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward and I know that whichever players Van Gaal wants, he is already in contact with them, and all of them want to come to Man United.”

Despite United finishing seventh last season and missing out on playing in Europe, Schmeichel backs his former club to bounce back as strong challengers next season.

“The club cannot do without European football for a second year. There is no way this is going to happen, because that is not the club that Man United is,” he said. “We are not even looking at top four, we are looking to win the championship again. We just had a really bad season. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Every time something bad happens, there is a lot to rebound from.”

Seeing the bright side of the past season, Schmeichel thinks the blip will benefit the club in the long run.

“There is a lot of experience now at the top of the club. They know much more now than what they did 12 months ago, so Ed Woodward has learnt his lesson in a very tough way,” said Schmeichel. “Also, you’ve got someone in there now who is independent as a manager. You do not have to nurture Van Gaal. He is 62 and has been with very big sides. The club can leave the job to him.”