Van Gaal’s bizarre reason why Leicester are higher than Man Utd

Louis van Gaal: Feels it's easier for Leicester to sign stars

Louis van Gaal: Feels it's easier for Leicester to sign stars

Louis van Gaal has praised Leicester’s achievements as they close on the Premier League title – but feels the Foxes have ‘had it easier’ than Manchester United when it comes to signing players.

Van Gaal has experience of winning a league title with an unfashionable club having led AZ Alkmaar to the Eredivisie crown in 2009.

He praised the job done by Ranieri and his players but argued in some ways Leicester have an advantage over their bigger rivals.

He said: “As a club of AZ or a smaller club like Leicester, it is more easy to buy players. It’s not so easy to buy players for a club like Manchester United.

“You have to pay much more, you have to pay also the agents, and then you have the player himself. Also the pressure of the transfer of players is less big, and also for the players who have to perform it’s less. So it’s a big difference.

“But it’s also a fantastic performance of Leicester City, and at that time AZ, to beat the top clubs. The performance of Ranieri and his players is fantastic because they are not used to winning every game and they have to win every game, and they have done it.

“I believe that they shall be at the end the champions.”

But, asked whether Leicester’s success should leave the usual title challengers red faced, Van Gaal said frostily: “No, it’s sport.”