Van Gaal’s camera trick

DETROIT — Jonny Evans has revealed the full extent of Louis van Gaal’s attention to detail at Manchester United, saying the new manager has adopted a Big Brother approach to training involving camera surveillance of every movement on the pitch.

Van Gaal, who began work as United manager two weeks ago, wants to accelerate the team’s adjustment to a 3-4-1-2 formation during the pre-season tour of the United States, which continues against Real Madrid in front of a 109,000 crowd in Ann Arbor, Michigan this weekend.

The former Netherlands coach has also introduced changes behind the scenes, from training times to the squad’s dining arrangements and the overhauling of pitches at the club’s Carrington base.

Despite United ploughing around £3 million (S$6.3 million) into Van Gaal’s planned improvements at Carrington, centre-half Evans admits the biggest surprise has been the cameras positioned alongside the training pitches.

“I think it is a lot more detailed at the training ground now,” he said.

“They have spent thousands on it and a few of the lads have seen HD cameras around the pitch. We have this camera system where he (Van Gaal) can watch us on the pitch. I think a lot of teams use it, but we are looking into it in quite a lot of detail.

“He is saying things like, ‘You should be five yards to the right’ after watching the footage and we are able to see things that are happening live on the pitch. We went through a video recently and I was 10 yards out of position.

“There are things you are doing on the pitch, and the whole team will be feeling the same, and you are thinking, ‘Am I in the right position?’ Then he will show you in the video and you will know.”

Van Gaal warned that it could take up to three months for his players to become fully comfortable with his methods, having introduced new training drills and dispensed with the back four formation that the Red Devils have used for more than two decades.

“He said we would find it hard mentally because he wants us all to push ourselves to the limit,” said Evans.

“That is what it feels like. We are all going to bed and sleeping well anyway. But that is the standard he has set for us. There are a lot of fine details that we all have to stick to, but I think what it does is give everyone a comfort zone because we all know that is the standard.

“It is everything from the clothes you wear to the time you have a meal and everyone eating together.”

At 26, Evans, a Northern Ireland international, admits he must emerge as a senior figure under Van Gaal, having been regarded as a young prospect alongside the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, who left for Inter Milan and Queens Park Rangers, respectively.

“I have benefited from playing with Rio and Nemanja, and Wes Brown before that. I have learnt a lot throughout my career and it is a big time in my career now,” he said.

Twelve months ago, United prepared for a new campaign following another change of manager, with David Moyes replacing Sir Alex Ferguson, and the optimism at that time was similar to that being expressed under Van Gaal.

Moyes was unable to sustain the feel-good factor, with United enduring a nightmare campaign and missing out on Europe, and Evans admits to a determination to right the wrongs of last season.

“I’m not sure why it went wrong. But people are now saying Manchester United can’t win the league, so that is a big motivation to us.”