James Weir has recounted making his Manchester United debut under Louis van Gaal, making a comparison to other Dutch managers who have worked in the Premier League.
Louis van Gaal was Manchester United manager between 2014 and 2016, handing many players their senior debuts.
The Dutch coach was famous for giving youth and fringe players a chance at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, so he continued that tradition at United.
Some of the most notable debutants under Van Gaal at United include Marcus Rashford, Andreas Pereira, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett.
United struggled in the Premier League under Van Gaal, although they won the FA Cup in 2016 before the Dutchman was sacked, only to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Still, Van Gaal will be remembered at United for many reasons. The proof is in the pudding whenever players talk about working for the former Netherlands manager.
James Weir and Paddy McNair
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
James Weir compares Louis van Gaal to Arne Slot and Erik ten Hag
Another player who made their United debut under Van Gaal was James Weir.
The former United academy graduate made his Premier League debut alongside Rashford as United beat Arsenal 3-2 at Old Trafford.
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Weir came on as a substitute to replace Ander Herrera in stoppage time before getting just one minute of action in a United shirt at the senior level.
Speaking to respected journalist Steve Bartram, Weir was asked about working under Van Gaal and making his debut for United.
Weir explained how he enjoyed working with Van Gaal due to his straight-speaking approach, comparing the former United boss to Erik ten Hag and Liverpool’s Arne Slot.
“Yeah, he was funny,” Weir said. “Like people ask me now what he was like and I think I’ve heard it about maybe Arne Slot and Erik ten Hag. He was very Dutch, straight speaking.
“They don’t mince their words. You were good today, or you were awful. There was no in between. He just told you what he thought of you.
“I kind of prefer it because you get maybe a lot of British managers who pull the wool over your eyes and give you a little load of rubbish and you don’t know where you stand. It’s just leading you on, whereas with him, you knew where he stood and what he expected of you.
“He was a character and he came out with some funny stuff. Obviously the day I made my debut, he did that sort of impression of Alexis Sanchez where he fell on the floor, which to be honest, I was stood down the touchline and I didn’t know what happened. I just heard commotion. I thought Wenger had hit him. So, I was like, ‘This is mental’. And then I saw it afterwards and realised what it was about.
“But yeah, I mean I obviously had a lot of respect for him. He was, you know, great manager in the game and obviously game me my very very minute chance. So, it was good.”
Where did Weir go after Man Utd?
After making his debut for United, Weir joined Hull City and enjoyed loan spells at Wigan and Bolton.
Weir’s football career then took him to Slovakia and Hungary before announcing his retirement at the age of 28.
Although Weir never made an appearance for the England senior team, he did represent the Lions at youth level (U16, U18 and U19).
Since retiring, Weir has made the unexpected career pivot into the travel industry.