Football
ESPN staff 10y

Louis van Gaal eyeing title - Kluivert

Louis van Gaal is aiming to win the Premier League in his first season at Manchester United, and has begun his reign at the club by reportedly making a significant donation to charity.

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Van Gaal, 62, will be officially presented as United boss on Thursday afternoon, less than a week after his final match in charge of the Dutch national side.

In an interview with talkSPORT, Patrick Kluivert, who worked as Van Gaal's assistant during his spell in charge of Netherlands and helped them finish third at the 2014 World Cup, claimed he will not settle for second place.

United will not play in European competition after finishing seventh last season, and Kluivert believes finishing in the top four and sealing a return to the Champions League is not enough for Van Gaal.

"He's absolutely going for the Premier League title" he said. "A club like Manchester United always has to go for the title and that's what he wants in his first year.

"They also need to get back into the Champions League.

"Van Gaal is a great tactician and he wants to win matches. He likes to play offensive and attractive football as well though. He won't disappoint the Manchester United fans.

"He's a great coach and I know he's looking forward to taking over at Manchester United.

"It will be a difficult year but I know he can do it. He can work well with the squad."

Meanwhile, Van Gaal and United are reported to have made sizeable donations to a spinal atrophy charity in Netherlands which the manager is an ambassador for.

Van Gaal has worked with Muscles for Muscles for a number of years, sponsoring charity events, donating money and even appearing in adverts on Dutch television and on billboards.

Several British newspapers cite a report in The Sun that the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax manager donated more than one million pounds after he did not use an agent when negotiating taking the United job.

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