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17th Aug 2015

Van Gaal says no Man United player is guaranteed a starting place

Changes afoot?

Tom Victor

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal opened the door to further personnel changes at the club by maintaining no one’s place is safe.

The likes of Wayne Rooney have come under fire for underwhelming performances in the first two Premier League games of the new campaign, and the Dutch coach will not be playing favourites as the season goes on.

“At a club like United, you never have a guarantee of a position in the top 11,” he said at a press conference ahead of the Champions League playoff against Club Brugge.

“Every player here knows that, and because of that we have a very good team spirit.”

Aston Villa v Manchester United - Premier League

The remarks followed a question about the future of Adnan Januzaj in the first team, following the Belgian’s winner against Aston Villa.

“I’m happy at United and I’m happy with the way the manager has worked with me,” said Januzaj, who has been linked with a loan move away from the club.

United face a stern test in the their Belgian opponents, who made the quarter-finals of last season’s Europa League.