Van Gaal: I’m a different manager to Wenger and Ferguson

Louis van Gaal says he is a different type of manager to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger as he prepares to take on the Arsenal boss at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Dutch coach arrived at Old Trafford in 2014 but has already insisted he plans to retire from his post when his contract expires in 2017.

Wenger, meanwhile, has been at the helm of the Gunners for 19 years but Van Gaal has reiterated his intention to retire and says he is man of his word.

“I set aims and I was very lucky that clubs or national teams want me," he told reporters. “Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson are other types I think.

“I always want more. I have set my aims always in advance. It’s the same thing as what I’m doing now.

“I shall retire. I always do what I have said. I have always set my own aims and I think that I have set my last aim also.”

Van Gaal’s side head to Arsenal top of the table and three points ahead of the Gunners and the Dutch coach took time to praise one of his key players so far this season, Chris Smalling.

“I think the player, when he does things, he does it all by himself,” he told reporters.

“I help him with advice and also with demands, also with training sessions, also with showing images to improve him, but he has to be open and he has to perform on the pitch. He does everything for himself. The greatest compliment you have to make is to Chris and not to me.”

“Obviously he got the chances because of that but it is always like that. As a player you need vacancies in positions and when it is your position you have more luck. That’s always true in football clubs.”