Van Gaal: Scholes ought to try being more positive

Matt Stead

Louis van Gaal believes Paul Scholes should try to be more positive with regards to his constant critique of Manchester United.

The Dutch coach has come under intense scrutiny this season, with many supporters calling for him to be sacked during a season in which United have struggled for form and results.

United currently sit in fifth place having lost only one game in nine following a wretched run in December that left Van Gaal on the brink.

Former midfielder Scholes has been vocal in his criticism of United’s style of play for much of the season and while Van Gaal believes the Class of 92 star’s views have provoked some of the dissent in the Old Trafford stands, he insists he is used to it.

In an exclusive interview with the Independent, Van Gaal said: “In Barcelona, the fans were more critical than everywhere. In Ajax, too. In my first year at Ajax, it was not a happy year for me. At the end, we won the UEFA Cup, but it was not a happy season.

“I took over from Leo Beenhakker and we lost the first three matches, so what do you think the fans were yelling? ‘Cruyff,’ for a whole year.

“I have always coped with that kind of thing. Barcelona is a very critical environment, because the result and the performance is very important. In England, it is more the result than performance, only when Paul Scholes started he influenced a certain amount of fans.”

Van Gaal says he has not spoken to his assistant Ryan Giggs over his former team-mate’s regular criticism and the manager believes Scholes should try being more positive.

He continued: “No, I don’t think that I have to give Ryan stress in his friendship with Scholes. I have managed all of my career, so it would not be good or honest of me to ask Ryan to say something.

“What Scholes is thinking, he has to think it. Every human being can give his opinion. I don’t bother about that, I think it is good. But my problem is when you create an atmosphere, a very negative atmosphere for somebody, so maybe he should be more positive.”