The players given their first steps by van Gaal after he calls up Tom Thorpe and Paddy McNair
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is known for a number of things, but one of the defining aspects of his managerial career has been a willingness to give an opportunity to youth – something that he is doing again, having called up youngsters Tom Thorpe and Paddy McNair to the United squad for this weekend’s Premier League clash against West Ham United.
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Not a huge amount is known about Thorpe and McNair, but if the youthful duo are able to replicate this eight world class stars, all handed their debuts by van Gaal, then they will go on to have impressive careers indeed:
Edwin van der Sar (Ajax)
One of a number of young Dutch players to be handed their debuts at Ajax by van Gaal in the early 1990s, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar went on to have a stunning career both at club level and internationally – including in the Premier League for both Fulham and Manchester United.
Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich)
One of van Gaal’s first acts as manager of Bayern Munich in 2009 was to call up a number of youth team players, including defender Holger Badstuber, who was given a debut by the Dutchman. Despite never quite becoming the best in the business, Badstuber has gone on to make over 100 appearances at the Allianz Arena and is also a regular for Germany.
Patrick Kluivert (Ajax)
Another of the golden generation of Dutch talent to flourish under van Gaal’s management at Ajax in the 1990s was striker Patrick Kluivert, who was handed a debut by van Gaal and went on to become a key man for his national team, whilst also banging in the goals across Europe for the likes of Barcelona and, later in his career, Newcastle United.
Arjen Robben (Netherlands Under 21s)
Whilst van Gaal didn’t manage flying winger Arjen Robben at club level until he signed him for Bayern Munich, he did spot Robben’s talents earlier than most and gave him a debut for the Dutch Under 21 side at the age of 18, whilst he was still a relatively unheralded Dutch footballer at Eredivisie club Groningen.
Xavi (Barcelona)
One of van Gaal’s biggest achievements during his first spell in Catalonia with Barcelona was the nurturing of midfielder Xavi, who he quickly identified as a huge talent and drafted into the first team at the Nou Camp – he has barely left since, picking up Champions League and World Cup trophies in the process.
Clarence Seedorf (Ajax)
The third Dutch legend to be given an Ajax debut in the early 1990s by van Gaal was midfielder Clarence Seedorf, a wonderful all-round footballer who went on to have a lengthy career at the pinnacle of the European game, most notably in the colours of Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
The other notable Bayern Munich youngster to be drafted into the first team by van Gaal in 2009 was forward Thomas Muller, who quickly became a key part of the first team at the Allianz Arena and, within twelve months of his debut for the club, was lining up for Germany as one of the key players in their run to the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa.
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Having handed a debut to Xavi during his first spell at Barcelona, van Gaal repeated the trick once he returned to the Nou Camp, this time with another diminutive Spanish playmaker in Andres Iniesta. He was quickly plucked from the B team and put in alongside Xavi, with van Gaal recognising that the two would go on to form a fruitful partnership for club and country.