Evans impressed by Van Gaal methods
Jonny Evans thinks Louis van Gaal has installed a far more impressive and detailed system of analysing his players since he took over as Manchester United manager.
Van Gaal has implemented a host of new rules and initiatives since succeeding David Moyes as United boss.
The former Holland coach has ordered his players to speak English to each other, rectangular tables have been replaced by circular ones at meal times to encourage conversation and the 62-year-old has implemented double training sessions to make sure the players are in shape for the start of the season.
New pitches and state of the art cameras have been installed at the club’s training ground in Carrington and video analysis has been a key part of the summer tour, which has seen the team win all three of their matches.
United only won two of their pre-season games last year under Moyes, so it looks like Van Gaal’s extensive preparation is already paying off.
“I think it is a lot more detailed at the training ground (now),” United defender Evans told a press conference in the US.
“They have spent thousands on it and a few of the lads have seen HD cameras around the pitch. We have this system at the minute where he can watch us on the pitch. I think a lot of teams use it but we are looking into it in quite a lot of detail.
“He is saying ’you should be five yards to the right’, we are able to see things that are happening live on the pitch.
“That kind of scrutiny is new to every single player. The case before was that as long as we got the results everything was fine.
“David Moyes would have looked at videos a lot so we got a bit of that from last year. (Now) we are looking at things in detail.”
Van Gaal’s training sessions have become absorbing to watch on this tour.
The Dutchman, arms crossed standing tall, usually observes from a distance.
The only time he intervenes in drills is either when he praises someone with a thundering clap, a big pat on the back or a high-five, or when he disapproves of their efforts.
No player is immune to a dressing down in training – even when the session is conducted in front of thousands of fans, as has been the case throughout the tour.
The 26-year-old Evans, now in his eighth year at United, does not mind Van Gaal’s tough love approach.
“The manager told us it was going to be difficult because he is demanding and he knows that himself,” the Northern Ireland centre-back added.
“That is the standard he has set for us. It is everything from the clothes you wear to the time you have a meal and everyone eating together.
“He is quick to congratulate you when you have done well and is also quick to tell you when you have done something wrong.”
