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Wolverine GTR

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    West Ham 2-1 Southampton: Carroll winner ends eight-game winless run

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    Substitute Andy Carroll helped West Ham come from behind to snap a run of five consecutive Premier League draws with a 2-1 win over Southampton at Upton Park.

    The hosts - who have never drawn six in a row in the top flight before - were poor for much of the first half and trailed to Carl Jenkinson's early own goal, but manager Slaven Bilic introduced Carroll at the break to spark a revival.

    Michail Antonio's first goal for the club levelled matters in the 69th minute, the former Nottingham Forest forward seeing Victor Wanyama's attempted clearance clatter against him and loop over Maarten Stekelenburg.

    But West Ham were not done there and secured a first league victory since beating Chelsea on October 24 - when Carroll again came off the bench to net the winner - as the bustling forward was first to react after Antonio had headed Enner Valencia's inviting delivery against the crossbar.

    The result moves the home side up to seventh, while Ronald Koeman's men – who had been so impressive in the 4-0 Boxing Day win over Arsenal – sit 12th.
    West Ham started brightly and Valencia's determined run ended with a shot that was well blocked by Ryan Bertrand, while Cheikhou Kouyate was wayward with his long-range effort.

    It was the visitors who opened the scoring, though, as Shane Long provided a low delivery from the left that Dusan Tadic – in for James Ward-Prowse – made minimal contact with before Jenkinson got the final touch to divert it past the helpless Adrian.

    Koeman's side were visibly buoyed by making the breakthrough and sought to assert their authority at an increasingly restless Upton Park, with Long – who scored twice in the triumph over Arsenal – a thorn in the hosts' side.

    In the 27th minute he outpaced Angelo Ogbonna down the right and pulled back a cross for Steven Davis, with James Collins brilliantly deflecting the midfielder's shot over.Davis saw another well-struck effort fly narrowly wide of Adrian's left upright 10 minutes before the end of a first half in which the Saints were much the better side.

    Bilic attempted to rally his side with a double change at the interval, introducing Carroll and Manuel Lanzini – both of whom have had their injury problems this term – and the former Newcastle United forward spurned an excellent chance to level matters within three minutes of the restart, hurriedly flashing a shot over from close range following a corner.

    The game was becoming increasingly stretched and West Ham seized the opportunity to drag themselves back into the match, Antonio bundling his way into the box and getting a generous bit of unintended help from Wanyama.

    The boisterous home crowd had further cause for celebration 11 minutes from time when Carroll nodded into an unguarded net after Antonio's headed effort from Valencia's had cannoned off the underside of the crossbar.

    Antonio blasted wide while off balance at the end of a last-gasp counter-attack, but the appreciative West Ham crowd soon heard the sound of the full-time whistle to end their long wait for a win.
     

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    :love:Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea: De Gea and Courtois shine in Old Trafford stalemate

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    Goalkeepers were the stars of the show as Manchester United and Chelsea drew 0-0 in the Premier League on Monday evening.

    The hosts, with manager Louis van Gaal under similar pressure to that which recently saw Guus Hiddink replace Jose Mourinho in the Blues' dugout, hit the woodwork through Juan Mata and Anthony Martial in the first half but had to rely upon David de Gea for some superb saves.

    Thibaut Courtois similarly had to step up as Old Trafford enjoyed an exhibition of reflexes between the posts but Chelsea arguably had the best chance to win when Nemanja Matic squandered a threatening counterattack in the second period.

    With Eden Hazard nominally the visitors' attacking spearhead in the absences of all their recognised centre-forwards, Chelsea lacked the possession to carve out regular opportunities of similar quality and United might have claimed the win in the 86th minute when Wayne Rooney - restored to the starting XI - could not control a fizzing cross from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson at close range.

    Mata was inches away from giving United an ideal start against his old club as he rattled the crossbar in the third minute with a fierce half-volley from just inside the area.

    De Gea reacted superbly to tip Terry's header over the top from a Willian corner but the woodwork came to Chelsea's rescue again when Martial cut in and hit the inside of the near post with a low drive.

    United were comfortably in charge and Courtois was called into action again in the 28th minute to tip the recalled Rooney's drive from 25 yards over the crossbar but it was De Gea who made the next key stop with a brilliant double-save to deny Pedro and then Cesar Azpilicueta on the follow-up just after half-time.
    Martial continued to give Branislav Ivanovic a torrid time and another surging run saw him cross for Herrera in the six-yard box but Courtois reacted superbly to block his effort and claw the ball away from the line.

    United were on top but Matic spurned a glorious chance on the counter-attack to give Chelsea the lead as he blazed over with only De Gea to beat after being played clean through by Pedro.

    With the pace of the game ebbing away, United threw on Memphis Depay to increase the pace in attack as they pushed to seal a first win since their visit to Watford on November 21.

    And they could have snatched it late on, Rooney wastefully volleying over at the far post after a fine cross from substitute Borthwick-Jackson, but had to instead settle for avoiding a fifth consecutive defeat.
     

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    Van Gaal insists he will NOT resign after Manchester United's draw with Chelsea

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    Louis van Gaal insists he will not resign following Manchester United’s goalless draw with Chelsea.

    United have now gone eight games in all competitions without a win following Monday's stalemate at Old Trafford, but amid intense speculation over his future, the Dutchman has no plans to quit the club.

    “On the contrary, when the players can give such a performances with this lot of pressure then it is not any reason to resign for me,” Van Gaal told BT Sport.

    “Maybe the media wants that, but I shall not do that.

    “I have a contract, so it’s not a question of staying, it’s a question of fulfilling my contract.”

    Van Gaal also insists he can still win over the fans if his United players are showing signs of improvement.

    "In my first year as a manager, it was much tougher, they were yelling every week against me, and then I won in my first year the Uefa Cup. And then the yelling was stopped," said the Dutchman.

    "Here they are still applauding, not everyone, I have seen that, but the most important thing is what the players have done today, then the fans can be satisfied."
     

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    Penahatiyata LVG ta thawa chance 1ka dei wage Chelsea match 1ka play karapu widiyath ekka baluwama.habai ithin impove wenna one dewal nam godai.:yes:

    Dan ithin LVG resign wenne nathuwa hitiyoth January window 1ka mona karaida kiyana 1ka gana thamai balanna wenne:yes:
     

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    Hughes ready for more Shaqiri magic


    Xherdan Shaqiri's superb double helped Stoke City to a stunning comeback win against Everton, and left his manager Mark Hughes predicting even bigger things to come.

    The Switzerland international caught the eye with a sublime performance in Monday's 4-3 Premier League win at Goodison Park, scoring twice - although there was some debate as to whether he meant the second.

    Shaqiri gifted Stoke an early lead with his first goal for the club since his pre-season transfer from Inter, before doubling his personal tally when he stretched out his right boot to divert the ball over goalkeeper Tim Howard.It was arguably his most influential display in a Stoke shirt, and Hughes expects him to push on from here.

    "It takes time to understand what it is required at Premier League level. It doesn't matter what level you have played at before, the Premier League is a big ask," Hughes told BBC Sport. "The only thing lacking up until today for Shaqiri was goals. Performances had been fine, but now he has added goals."He has that quality. It's his first mark in terms of goals and I'm sure there will be more to come."

    Monday's win came just two days after Stoke's 2-0 victory over Manchester United and Hughes was delighted to see his side continue their momentum - although they did it the hard way after Romelu Lukaku levelled twice and then Gerard Deulofeu put Everton ahead with 19 minutes left.

    Joselu made it 3-3 before Marko Arnautovic scored from the penalty spot in injury time, and Hughes added on Sky Sports: "It was a great game, it ebbed and flowed and it was a game of chances."Towards the end there were a few tired minds and that's when mistakes are made.

    "It was important that we backed up the win against United and we did that. We'd got into a winning position and then we lost the lead and we could have been disappointed with that but we weren't’t to be denied.

    "When we got on level terms you sensed there might be more there for us."Arnautovic won the game after being fouled inside the area by John Stones and Hughes felt referee Mark Clattenburg had got the penalty decision right.

    "I don’t think the lad [Stones] got any contact on the ball, that's the debate," he continued. "If he did get the ball it was the faintest of touches, but he certainly made more contact with Arnautovic."Shaqiri, meanwhile, was delighted to have opened his account for Stoke.

    When asked about his second, which sparked some debate on social media as to whether he was intending a cross, he told reporters: "It's a beautiful goal and an important goal for the team. The ball was good and deep from Bojan and the finish was good too."I really enjoyed looking back at it on the TV but more important were the three points.

    "I feel better game by game and you will see that on the pitch. I am really happy to have scored for Stoke."
     

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    Mitrovic should have had a penalty, fumes unhappy McClaren

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    Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren was unhappy to see Aleksandar Mitrovic denied a penalty as his side went down to a 1-0 Premier League defeat against West Brom.

    Darren Fletcher's late header gave the hosts a crucial victory at The Hawthorns on Monday and meant Newcastle remain inside the bottom three after a third consecutive match without a win.

    McClaren felt referee Mike Jones' decision not to award his team a spot-kick in the second half when Mitrovic was attempting to shoot at goal under pressure from Jonny Evans was the moment that decided the match."It is a game of fine margins," the former England manager said to Sky Sports.

    "There was always going to be one goal in it – it seemed that way. I thought we started every so well, created good chances and could have scored first.

    "In the second half as well we started very well and it is about decisions. I am afraid I think the referee will look back and think 'I got that decision wrong' for the penalty on Mitrovic.

    "He [Evans] has manhandled him the area, put him off his shot. I have seen it so many times now, it is unbelievable. "Then at the other end they go and score the vital goal and we have had nothing from the last two games.

    "I haven't spoken to the referee. At the time Mitrovic looks as if he was complaining of being pulled back and it looked like it, but I have just seen it again two or three times on the replay and those decisions cost you.

    "I know it is difficult being a referee and you have to make snap, quick decisions but he will look back and say he has got that one wrong and it has cost us three points."
     

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    Rooney apologises for clumsy, high challenge on Oscar

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    Wayne Rooney has apologised for a late challenge on Oscar during Manchester United’s goalless draw with Chelsea.

    The England captain connected studs first with the Brazilian’s leg in the second half and was shown a yellow card by Martin Atkinson. On another occasion, however, Rooney’s recklessness could well have drawn a straight red. “It was accidental [the foul on Oscar],” he told BT Sport after the game.

    “I knew straight away I caught him and could've caused him a bit of damage, so I apologise.

    “I apologised on the pitch, nothing was meant and I think the referee saw there was no intention of hurting him. “He's given me a yellow card which I probably deserve.”

    Rooney was restored to the United side after starting on the bench against Stoke City on Boxing Day. He produced an industrious first half against Chelsea, but was unable to prevent his side’s winless run stretching to eight games.

    Louis van Gaal’s side are next in action against Swansea City this weekend.
     

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    :yes:Gerrard urges Manchester United to sign 'experienced striker' in January

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    Steven Gerrard believes Manchester United need to sign an “experienced striker” in order to boost their title chances this season.

    United registered a goalless draw against Chelsea on Monday to leave them nine points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.

    Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial have scored just six goals combined in the Premier League this season and Gerrard insists the club need to improve their attacking options.

    “I think they need an extra striker. There’s too much pressure on Wayne Rooney, Martial’s very young, Depay’s very young,” Gerrard told BT Sport.

    “They need an experienced striker to come and help Wayne Rooney with that pressure, with that goal burden.”

    Monday’s draw at Old Trafford has left United without a win in eight games but Gerrard believes their performances against Chelsea was encouraging.

    “I think they need performances like today,” said the former Liverpool captain.

    “Against the majority of teams in the league, if they perform like that, they’ll go on a run of winning games.”
     

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    Scholes admits he didn't understand Van Gaal tactic in Manchester United's draw with Chelsea

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    Paul Scholes admits he did not understand Louis van Gaal’s decision to switch Anthony Martial to the right flank in Manchester United’s goalless draw with Chelsea.

    United have now gone eight games without a win, although Van Gaal’s men showed encouraging signs of improvement and squandered a host of chances to secure three points.

    Anthony Martial was one focal point in United’s attack but Scholes believes the decision to switch the France international from the left flank damaged the team’s chances of finding a breakthrough.

    “I think there’s a lot of quality in the team, they have let a lot of goals go out of the team with people like [Javier] Hernandez and Robin van Persie,” Scholes told BT Sport.

    “The quality is there, they need to get that confidence back, I think the confidence was there today, the only thing they were missing today was the goal, I thought the performance was very good.

    “My only complaint today was when they moved Martial over to the right side. I didn’t understand that, I thought he was giving Ivanovic a really tough time.

    “As soon as he went over there it stemmed the flow. Azpilicueta is a much better defender than Ivanovic and he was given a really tough time.”
     

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    Rooney: Manchester United players giving their all for LVG

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    Wayne Rooney has dismissed suggestions that Manchester United's players are not giving 100 per cent for under-pressure boss Louis van Gaal following the 0-0 draw with Chelsea.The scrutiny on Van Gaal's position at Old Trafford was intensified by a lifeless 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday, which marked United's fourth straight defeat.

    Following that match, Van Gaal intimated he could resign from his post rather than be pushed out, but the Dutchman witnessed a much-improved showing from his team against Chelsea 48 hours later.

    Despite controlling the game for long periods, United were unable to break Chelsea down and ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils, leaving Van Gaal's men five points off the top four.

    After Monday's draw, Van Gaal insisted he has no reason to quit following what he considered a "dominant" display.Meanwhile, Rooney - recalled to the starting XI after being dropped to the bench for the Stoke game - reaffirmed that the players are fully behind their manager.

    He told BT Sport: "A lot of people say a lot of different things - we'd be letting ourselves down if we didn't go on to that pitch and give our all."We have to fight to the end, keep fighting, and we'll come back again - we know that. [We have to] just keep working hard and I'm sure the victories will come."

    Asked about United's overall performance, he added: "I think that's the way it's going for us at the moment. [We] created a lot of chances. We're going through a tough time, we've all stuck together and put up a great fight."[It's a] disappointing result because we dominated the game, but that's football."
     

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    'Complete' Ozil has shades of Bergkamp, says Wenger

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    Arsene Wenger labelled Mesut Ozil a "complete player" after the Germany playmaker inspired a 2-0 win over Bournemouth that lifted Arsenal to the Premier League summit.

    On the back of their shock 4-0 thrashing at Southampton, Arsenal made a tentative start to Monday's match at Emirates Stadium before Gabriel powered home his first goal for the club from a 27th-minute Ozil corner.

    The ex-Real Madrid man's right-flank set-piece deliveries continued to create panic in the opposition box and he was at the centre of Arsenal's best work before exchanging passes with Olivier Giroud to seal victory after the hour.Ozil now has five goals for the season in all competitions and an incredible 16 Premier League assists - four short of the league record.

    He is proving to be a focal point in Arsenal's quest for a first top-flight crown since 2004, and Wenger has likened his qualities to those of club great Dennis Bergkamp.

    "Mesut was the focal point of our team because we had a new midfield [with Calum Chambers alongside Aaron Ramsey in the centre]," Wenger told a post-match news conference. "He gives reassurances with his technical ability and his maturity. He gives you that security and he gives you confidence.

    "I have seen a few good games from Ozil but what's important is that he's not only a talented player but ready to work very hard from the team. He's added goals to the assists and overall he's a complete player.

    "I've not seen many of that quality. I don't like to compare players but he's an exceptional player. I've always defended that point of view, even when you [journalists] were sceptical about it.

    "I believe he is also improving and getting better to reach his potential, consistently going upwards.

    "Look at the numbers on the assists and they speak for him."He reminds me of Bergkamp. Bergkamp was more of a goalscorer, Ozil more assists. But now he’s scoring too."

    Wenger conceded that the sluggish start to the match, before Ozil took charge, was as a direct result of the Southampton reverse 48 hours previous."It was nervous at the start because we had to swallow the 4-0 and it didn’t go well," the Frenchman added. "We were a bit nervous to concede at the start and determined not to concede.

    "After that, we were in control of the game and we played very well."You can't go from the start of the season to the end without some disappointment. Then it's how you respond and it was important to win the game today.
     

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    Wenger lauds consistency of record-breaker Cech

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    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed the consistency of goalkeeper Petr Cech after he broke the all-time record for clean sheets in the Premier League on Monday.Former Chelsea star Cech kept his 170th shut out as Arsenal cruised to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth.

    Cech was able to enjoy a comfortable evening en route to the landmark - which was previously set by David James - with goals from Gabriel and Mesut Ozil sending Arsenal to the summit.

    Afterwards Wenger told a post-match media conference: "It's a remarkable achievement."People don't realise how much hard work, focus and consistency is behind that in his attitude.

    "Consistency is the most difficult achievement for somebody."Former England keeper James past on his well wishes, as he posted on Twitter: "Congratulations @PetrCech Premier League clean sheet record holder. Plenty more to come! What a guy!"
     

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    Schneiderlin rues 'same story' for Man Utd

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    Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has lamented the "same story again" after his side's 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Monday.

    United and Chelsea both had their chances during a dour game at Old Trafford, as Louis van Gaal's men saw their winless run extended to eight matches in all competitions.

    Schneiderlin was disappointed by the result for his side, who have scored just five goals in their eight-game run.

    "I thought we were unlucky. Everyone in the changing room is disappointed we did not win," the France international said.

    "We dominated the game and had a good tempo. We were on the front foot from kick-off and showed commitment.

    "We wanted to show the fans we wanted to win but it is the same story again - in football you can't win if you don't score."

    United sit sixth in the Premier League table ahead of their next outing, a clash at home to Swansea City on Saturday.
     

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    Cech proud of clean sheet record

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    Petr Cech has expressed his pride at setting a new clean sheet record in Arsenal's 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Monday.

    The 33-year-old, who made over 300 appearances for Chelsea before moving across London, surpassed David James's previous milestone by keeping a 170th Premier League clean sheet.

    Goals from Gabriel and Mesut Ozil subsequently gave the Gunners a comfortable victory as they responded superbly to Boxing Day's 4-0 thrashing at Southampton, moving top of the Premier League in the process.

    And, reflecting on the record, Cech told Arsenal Player: "It is not every day you break the record of the best league in the world. I must say at the end of the game I was proud.

    "I was really pleased we won the game as well because after the game we had at Southampton we had to bounce back in style.

    "Overall we had a good performance and near the end, in the last five or 10 minutes, I started to check the clock as you start to think, 'OK, that is the game and you need to see it through and not concede’ and we did well not to.

    "We concentrated until the last second because if even if you concede in the last three minutes then there is added time then it can be a very long five minutes.

    "There can be a mistake and then you can lose the game and you need to concentrate from the start to the finish.

    "It cannot be easy sometimes when you are in control and you are 2-0 up and the opposition is pushing for that goal.

    "You have to make sure you are professional, organised and do the right things and we knew how to do it."
     

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    Koke: Atletico Madrid can win the Champions League

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    Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke believes his side will have a great 2016 and is targeting winning the Champions League.

    The Spanish side reached the final of the European competition in 2014 - the same year they won La Liga - but lost to city rivals Real Madrid in extra time.Los Rojiblancos have been paired with PSV in the last 16 of this year's competition and are currently level on points with Liga leaders Barcelona as 2015 nears its end.

    And Koke believes his side can improve in the New Year and hopes to go all the way in the Champions League.

    "In 2015, the team went through big changes in personnel with new players coming in," he told AS. "Younger players who have adapted and we reached our objective of finishing third in the league."I think next year will be even better – at least I am hoping so."The Champions League is what we all dream about, but we also have to be realistic, we know how difficult it is.

    "Let's hope we can reach the final again - and maybe win it, why not?"The club’s objective is to make sure we qualify for the Champions League every year and try to qualify from the group stage."

    The 23-year-old Atletico academy graduate also revealed that he idolised his current team-mate Fernando Torres as a youngster before the striker joined Liverpool.

    "All of the kids wanted to be like him," Koke said."We’d say: 'If he can do it, so can we.' We had that dream... And I was lucky enough to see it come true."
     

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    Herrera: I was ready to celebrate

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    Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says he was ready to celebrate opening the scoring against Chelsea, only to see Thibaut Courtois pull off a miraculous save as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

    The Spanish midfielder met Anthony Martial's cross in the six-yard box, but the Belgium international responded brilliantly to make a fantastic reaction stop, much to the disbelief of Herrera.

    "I think I put my foot correctly," Herrera told MUTV.

    "I was in the right position. The cross of Anthony, I think, was very good, so I didn't know if [Cesar] Azpilicueta touched the ball.

    "I don't know what happened, to be honest. I was going to celebrate it and then saw the ball was not in."

    United have failed to win in their last eight games, but Herrera has nonetheless expressed his pride at the performance of his team-mates.

    "We showed we were the better team but it was not enough. We cannot be happy but we can be proud of what we did today," he added.

    "We have to be realistic, we have to win games but this is the way we have to play, I think. You can see Chelsea are a threat despite their situation. They are very, very tough and have fantastic players. I think we were the better team.

    "We played with a lot of energy and passion, the way we have to play, but I cannot say too much, just talk on the pitch and make our fans proud."
     

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    Blind wants Van Gaal as Netherlands technical director

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    Netherlands coach Danny Blind says Louis van Gaal would make an ideal appointment for the Dutch football association as technical director.

    Blind was part of Van Gaal's coaching staff at the World Cup in 2014 and served under successor Guus Hiddink before taking the top job in July during a disastrous Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

    Netherlands failed to earn a place at the finals in France next summer, while Van Gaal has endured a difficult season at Manchester United - his side have gone eight matches without a victory in all competitions.

    Van Gaal - whose future at Old Trafford has come under considerable scrutiny - has stated previously that United will be his last job in management but Blind would welcome the 64-year-old's appointment by the Dutch Football Association [KNVB].

    "With Van Gaal I could achieve a lot," Blind told Algemeen Dagblad.

    "He is in the top category. But there are also many other options to think of where the shoe could fit.

    "I do not know if that will happen. I recently read a comment by Bert van Oostveen [KNVB director of professional football] about [appointing a technical director]. But I have not spoken to him about it personally.

    "The key question is: what are the pillars of the work of a technical director? I have been one myself a couple of times in my career and basically it comes down to a buying and selling policy but that is at a club, not at the KNVB.

    "It comes to the flow of youth players. You have to offer an exciting job and it must be someone with respect. It's difficult."
     
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