Van Gaal: Players Off On Christmas Day

Louis van Gaal has revealed his Manchester United players will have Christmas Day off ahead of the encounter 24 hours later with Newcastle.

The Reds would traditionally report to the Aon Training Complex for a light session while families around the country spend time with their loved ones at home. However, this year, the Dutchman has intervened to reward his players.

“I have changed that, I have given them free time and Christmas day with the family,” the boss told MUTV on Friday. “We shall come together the next day here at our Aon Training Complex. Then we will have all of the meetings like we have done all season.

“I believe in a total human being so the environment is also important. I think they are more pleased to be at home with their wives and children. I hope they shall give everything to beat the opponent then.”

Van Gaal was manager of the Dutch national team this time last year and was able to enjoy his Christmas holidays at home in the Netherlands. Although he enjoyed that time, the boss is just as happy to lead the Reds into action against Newcastle.

“When you are a national team coach then you don’t have to do anything at Christmas because in the Netherlands the players are also free and have holiday,” van Gaal explained. “But here we play football and that is also nice.”

Wayne Rooney is pleased to have Christmas Day off this year and believes his international team-mates will be equally relieved, given that they are used to enjoying a winter break while playing with former clubs.

“It must be strange for them to have more games than ever over Christmas, having had the time off previously,” Rooney told MUTV. “They have to adapt and be ready for it, while being aware of the fixture list. I’m sure they’ll be prepared for the upcoming games.

“We’re not actually training on Christmas Day this year because we’ll be spending it at home, which will be good for the foreign players and those of us with children.”