Wayne Rooney: Ex-Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal “by far” a better coach than Alex Ferguson

Wayne Rooney has revealed that former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been the best coach he has ever worked with.

Rooney played under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford for 9 years, winning five Premier Leagues, a Champions League title and an FA Cup trophy among others. However, the former England international has now stated that Van Gaal has been “by far the best coach” he has ever worked with.

Ferguson vs Rooney: Five things to know…

• Ferguson was the man who persuaded United’s board to splash the cash on an 18-year-old Rooney in 2004.
• Rooney rewarded his faith by scoring a hat-trick on his debut.
• Rooney supposedly handed in a transfer request in 2010 claiming that the club and Ferguson ‘couldn’t match his ambition’.
• Ferguson accused Rooney of showing a ‘lack of respect’ towards United.
• The record goalscorer reportedly handed in a transfer request towards the end of Ferguson’s career in 2013, but Rooney denies this happening.

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In an interview with the Mirror, Rooney said: “Van Gaal is by far the best coach I have worked with – one hundred per cent.

“His tactical skills, his way of preparing and his attention to the finest of details, I found amazing. I admired that in him. I had never looked at stuff like that before.

“I regret how it all ended, yet I know one thing for sure – I have learnt a lot from him and I am definitely going to use those lessons for when I am a manager.”

Van Gaal was sacked by United shortly after winning the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace in 2016, handing Rooney his first winners’ medal in the competition. However, the Red Devils’ failure to qualify for the Champions League meant that the Dutchman was relieved of his duties and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

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A dig at Fergie?

Louis van Gaal is a manager of exceptional pedigree, but Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of, if not the, greatest managers of all time.

Fergie won 38 trophies in 26 years at Man Utd, including the infamous treble in 1999. The Scot signed Rooney from Everton in 2004 for £25.6m, a then-record transfer fee for a teenager.

Rooney scored 253 goals for United and was prolific under the Scotsman, but their relationship reportedly became strained towards the end of his tenure, which may explain Rooney’s recent comments.