Manchester United Manager Louis van Gaal has successfully responded to the “warning” of sorts that Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers made in the preseason. Rodgers claimed back in the summer that his managerial rival at Old Trafford might struggle to adapt to the competitive nature and strength in depth of the English top flight.
However, United are on good form heading into this rivalry grudge match at 3rd place, having won the last 5, while LFC have slipped down to 9th.
The Reds will come out swinging, looking to compensate for their recent dismal display against Sunderland (not to mention being knocked out of the Champions League) – but both teams are always fired up for this heated blood feud.
Louis van Gaal sent a message to Rodgers that he now has the measure of the Premier League.
“I think the Premier League isn’t so easy but I knew that in advance,” said Van Gaal.
“I also now have the experience because every game we have to play against clubs at the bottom, they are very difficult to beat.”
“We’ve managed to win our last five matches despite our list of injuries and I’m pleased by that.
“I think what he said at that moment was the truth and I have experienced that, that way also.
“The big difference between the Premier League and where I have worked before is the high rhythm of the game.
“I think here also every club has a player who can decide the match and that’s not so much the case in Germany, Spain or the Netherlands.”
In a semi-related story, Van Gaal says he is not worried or concerned about Manchester City’s brand new £200 million training complex.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2