Van Gaal at Man Utd: His management in memes

Sport360 staff 13:30 24/05/2016
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  • van Gaal waves fans goodbye after 2 years at MUFC.

    Manchester United parted ways with Van Gaal on Monday despite the Dutchman claiming the FA Cup – the club’s first trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

    Unfortunately for Van Gaal, the Cup win will likely be overshadowed by the constant criticism of his team’s style on the pitch and his penchant for an amusing outburst off it.

    The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has lent himself well to the age of memes, vines and photoshopped images – here, Sport360 picks the best of those that will ensure his spell at Old Tafford will be immortalised online.

    THE EARLY DAYS

    In Van Gaal’s very first match in charge, at the start of the 2014-15 season, Manchester United came up short against Swansea City – losing 2-1.

    It was a shocking result for United, who hadn’t lost an opening day game at home since 1972 and the knives were already out on social media.

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    HATERS GONNA HATE

    Despite a far from impressive campaign, LVG did manage to clinch a top-4 finish and guarantee Champions League football at the end of his first decision.

    It was a step in the right direction for the club and its embattled manager.

    OVER AMBITION

    Despite the modest results in season one, Van Gaal stuck to his guns and was adamant that he would deliver a league title in his second season in Manchester.

    While he was confident, for some it seemed more a joke than a genuine forecast.

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    EUROPEAN EXILE

    Possibly Van Gaal’s biggest disappointment at United was his inability to secure their safe passage from an easy group in the 2015-16 Champions League.

    Just two wins in a group consisting of Wolfsburg, PSV and CSKA Moscow was a woeful return and the knives were out again.

    RILED RIVALS

    One of the highlights for Van Gaal’s United in 2015-16 was the home-and-away wins over arch rivals Liverpool. The victory at Anfield in January was a particularly momentous occasion and he seemed to have fans on side again.

    It may have been a false dawn but at least it spawned this…

    HIS GREATEST LEGACY

    Van Gaal often cut as animated a figure as a Madame Tussauds display in the dugout, rarely appearing on the touchline during matches.

    But then there was that the one fateful February day when he decided to throw himself to the ground, mocking Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez for diving at Old Trafford.

    It endeared him (somewhat) to fans and though he quickly returned to a waxwork,  we were at least left with these rather hilarious offerings.

    GAAL OF THRONES

    After finally being shown the door on Monday after being given barely any backing by the club, his players or the fans, it was time for Van Gaal to be given the inevitable Jon Snow/Game of Thrones treatment…

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