Chris Smalling: Man United facing crucial period under Louis van Gaal
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling believes their pre-season tour will be crucial period for Louis van Gaal and the club
Chris Smalling believes Manchester United’s pre-season tour will be “massively important” as new manager Louis van Gaal attempts to drill home his ideas.
The 62-year-old will take over the reins at United in the coming days after Van Gaal’s Holland side suffered a 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Argentina in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final.
The tour gives the manager an opportunity to get all the players together and drill home his ideas
Chris Smalling
Van Gaal’s Red Devils outfit travel to the USA for their summer tour, where they will face LA Galaxy, Roma, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, providing the Dutch coach with a chance to get to know his new squad.
And United defender Smalling feels the coming weeks will be a crucial period for the 20-time English champions.
“Pre-season is always massively important and the tour gives the manager an opportunity to get all the players together and drill home his ideas that will last for the rest of the season,” said Smalling. “It’s a crucial period.”
United have already signed Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera and Southampton left-back Luke Shaw in the summer transfer window.
And England international Smalling feels the pair will be able to integrate into the United squad during their pre-season tour.
“That’s important too, especially for the new lads who come in as it’s two or three weeks where we are all together,” Smalling added.
