Louis van Gaal brutally claims Man Utd are a 'commercial club, not a football club' & urges former employers to 'pay attention' to Liverpool's blueprint for success

Van Gaal slammed the way United have been run and argued that he no longer sees them as a football club. The former Red Devils boss spent two seasons at Old Trafford, winning one FA Cup in his time at the club, and believes it is moving yet further away from how it once was. Van Gaal argued that United were too driven by commercial success and that's why they have fallen well short of league contention. To add yet further insult, he suggested that in order for United to return to an elite level, the ownership should follow the blueprint of bitter rivals Liverpool.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Van Gaal said: "It is still a commercial club. It is not a football club. I have said that before - and that's always difficult.

"When [it is] not the manager deciding which player has to come, it's very difficult.

"Then you can fire the manager because he's not getting results. When other people buy the players, then you have a problem. You need to have the knowledge and orientation [of the manager] because he has to train them.

"[At Liverpool] Arne Slot is the man who says to his technical manager, you need to buy this player. Pay attention to it."

Sine departing Old Trafford, Van Gaal has often spoken critically of United. He actively discouraged Erik Ten Hag from joining the club, stating: "Erik ten Hag is a great coach and that is always good for Manchester United, but Manchester United is a commercial club, which is a difficult choice for a coach. He would be better going to a football club."

The similarity of language used suggests Van Gaal believes United have not shifted their stance or culture in years, despite the injection of the new voice of Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the club's hierarchy. It is also possible Van Gaal sees Ratcliffe as another figure to take United yet further into a more commercial direction.

Despite being linked with jobs at both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in recent years, Van Gaal has not returned to club management since leaving United. He has only been in charge of the Netherlands, his third spell overseeing the national team, since being shown the exit door in Manchester. A return to football is unlikely as he continues to battle and recover from illness.