Louis van Gaal's Premier League debut wasn't exactly the stuff dreams are made of, as the new Dutch coach played out a 2-1 defeat in his inaugural match at Old Trafford. As is the customary nature of the English top flight and all of the expectation that goes along with it, the more sensationalist of supporters may already consider the former Netherlands manager as under heavy pressure. The Red Devils' new coach, however, is no stranger to criticism, having plied his trade for both his country and top European clubs, with no external pressure as great as the objectives and aims he places on himself. Due to his unique methodology of coaching and also meshing together a cohesive squad, Van Gaal has had plenty of critics over his long career, with both fellow coaches, former players and journalists having unsavoury words to say about the Dutchman's practice. When departing from Barcelona, he mustered up the famous line: "Friends of the press. I am leaving. Congratulations." What can be certain, is that Van Gaal isn't in last chance saloon, but merely months into his Man United tenure, he has already been subject to differing criticism - something the former Ajax coach will definitely have prepared himself for - after all, you have to have thick skin in order to be a football manager at the pinnacle of the sport.
