Louis Van Gaal criticise Manchester United US tour schedule

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has criticised the club's pre-season tour schedule in America.

United kick off their pre-season campaign against LA Galaxy at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California in the early hours of Thursday morning, before facing Roma, Real Madrid and Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup.


In between games the players must attend a number of sponsors events, while they must also undertake long trips with games scheduled in LA, Denver, Washington and Detroit.

Dutchman Van Gaal, 62, blamed "commercial activities" for the amount of travel.

"You have to travel distances, you have to fly a lot, you also have jetlag - that is not very positive for a good preparation," he said.

"The tour was already arranged so I have to adapt - and Manchester United shall do everything to adapt to my rules for good preparation," he said.

Asked if he would prefer a shorter tour next year he said: "Yeah, I hope that. And I am very confident that it shall be."

Van Gaal only took charge of United for the first time last Wednesday following his return from the World Cup, but he has been delighted with the players’ response to his training methods.

“I have to say that it has been fantastic,” Van Gaal told reporters.