Van Gaal 'not happy' with Manchester United's packed Christmas schedule

Posted Monday, December 01, 2014 by ESPN

This will be the first Christmas in Louis van Gaal's lengthy coaching career that will be dominated by working commitments.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted he is "not happy" with the hectic fixture list on the horizon for his side as he prepares for his first Christmas working in English football.

The Premier League is the only major championship in the world to load the Christmas and New Year week with an intense succession of matches, at a time when many of their rival European leagues are in the midst if a mid-season break in action.

Van Gaal has suggested the flow of games over the Christmas period is potentially damaging to his players both in terms of their physical well-being and their family life, in comments that echo the sentiments of many high profile foreign managers who have worked in the Premier League in recent years.

"I don't think it's good for the football players that they play within two days another match, but in December, it shall be like that," he told reporters. "I am not happy, but I cannot change it.

"We also have families. I also have a wife and kids and grandchildren and I cannot see them this Christmas, but I want to work in the Premier League, I have to adapt and I shall adapt. But I don't think it is good for players, neither for the families."

Despite his annoyance of a first Christmas in his lengthy coaching career dominated by working commitments, Van Gaal is relishing the challenge at United after seeing his side turn in their most complete performance of the season yet to see off Hull 3-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"Winning for a top club like Manchester United is the most important thing, especially when we are in fourth position in the league table," he continued ahead of Stoke's visit to Old Trafford on Tuesday.

"We need to win otherwise others will overcome you. Of course I had hoped we would win [against Hull], but we have to win also against Stoke.

"You see Liverpool struggling against Stoke [on Saturday at Anfield], only scoring in the 85th minute. Then you see Arsenal struggling also against West Bromwich Albion. They could have lost.

"Every game is difficult. That's why the Premier League is exciting because you never know. There is also an atmosphere in the stadiums and the fans are always supporting their team until the end -- that's fantastic. That's why I want to work in the Premier League, because of the atmosphere."