Van Gaal Offers Fresh Start, Says Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre has detected an air of optimism among the Manchester United players and staff during the early days of pre-season.

Silvestre is on tour in the USA as one of several ex-Reds making appearances on behalf of the club at various fan and commercial events.

And during the club's short time in Los Angeles so far, he has sensed a feeling of positivity as United prepare for the new campaign under a different coaching regime and with several personnel changes in the playing squad.

"It’s a completely fresh start, with the new manager, staff and players," Silvestre told ManUtd.com. "Everybody is excited and is looking forward to working together as a group, and to the new season.

"It’s challenging for the players because they have to prove that they deserve their spot in the team, and especially on tour, when they have to perform and impress to be in the manager’s first XI plans.

"But it’s good to see he has faith and will give all the current players a fair chance to stake their claim for a place in the team."

Like many, Silvestre has been impressed by Louis van Gaal and the tactical astuteness he displayed at the World Cup with the Netherlands.

"Everybody knows his achievements," the Frenchman continued. "It’s a challenge for him because United is a beast and there are lots of expectations. But I think he has the character, charisma, knowledge and experience to drive this team forward and win trophies.

"He did really well in Brazil because, when you looked at Holland’s first XI, you didn’t think they were the best-equipped team to win it, but they had a really good tournament.

"He made headlines for not playing a 4-3-3, so tactically I think he’s going to challenge the players here. On the continent we work from a young age on tactics and different formations; in England it’s often 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, so it will be good for our players.

"But his philosophy with previous teams has been to win titles with exciting, attacking football and that’s also in United’s DNA, so I think it’s a good match."

Silvestre is clear about what he feels the team must do to improve on last season’s seventh-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League.

"Individually and collectively it’s consistency, because I saw the team do really well last year on some occasions but not consistently," added the former left-back, who scooped five league titles with United between 1999 and 2008.

"That’s the high level required to win, especially in the Premier League, where you can’t get away with a string of bad performances."