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Premier League: Sir Alex Ferguson backs Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal

Image: Sir Alex Ferguson: Van Gaal is the right man for United

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the 'formidable' Louis van Gaal to restore the club's fortunes.

The 63-year-old Dutchman is the current incumbent at Old Trafford, taking over after David Moyes troubled 10-month reign was curtailed in April.

Despite Van Gaal's struggles for consistency, Ferguson is convinced he is the man to lead United back to the very top of the European game. 

He said: "Louis, who took the job, is what I would call a managers' coach. He's one of these committed ultra-professionals. Football is his life.

"Wherever he has managed, every footballer will have learned from him. He's strong, single-minded, as he showed again with the Netherlands at the World Cup - a marvellously entertaining tournament which supported my earlier point about teams counter-attacking nowadays en masse.

"I like Louis and have always had a good rapport with him. If I had to choose one word for him it would be 'formidable'.

"His urge is to play attractive football. He likes to watch players play and players train and to be involved at all levels, including in the development of young players. His background at Ajax shows that his faith in youth will not diminish. He was a good choice."

Speaking earlier this week, Ferguson also dismissed suggestions that he had hand-picked Moyes as his successor at Manchester United last year.

"There appears to be an accepted view out there that there was no process. Nonsense," he said. "We feel we did everything the right way: quietly, thoroughly, professionally."

Chelsea face Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend. Watch the Super Sunday match on Sky Sports 1 HD – coverage begins at 3:30pm.

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