Louis van Gaal is fully supportive of Manchester United’s plan to play midweek exhibition matches in the new year.
Managing director Richard Arnold confirmed earlier this week that United are discussing the possibility of playing glamour friendlies abroad at the start of 2015.
The matches, which could take place in the Middle East, would provide Van Gaal’s team with some kind of action during the weeks when their rivals are in Champions League action.
And it could, in theory, help the 20-times English champions recover some of the money they have lost by failing to qualify for Europe’s biggest club competition last term.
Van Gaal raised concerns about United’s lengthy travelling during their pre-season tour of the United States, but he has no concerns about taking the squad away next year.
“I agree with that (idea),” the United manager said.
“We (Arnold and Van Gaal) have spoken last week with each other and also (executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward, so I fully agree.
“I’m used to playing midweeks but I have said in the first three months (of the season) we have to wait because it’s difficult enough for the players to adapt and adjust to the new play organisation and style and they shall honour that also but we shall play midweeks.
“It’s good because I like to play games against high-level opponents.”
Van Gaal’s immediate focus is on domestic issues, namely tomorrow’s Premier League home game against Everton.
The United manager continues to be hindered by major injury problems, mainly at centre-back.
Van Gaal plans to stick with Paddy McNair, who impressed in last week’s 2-1 win over West Ham.
The manager was impressed with the Northern Irishman’s display against Sam Allardyce’s team, but he believes the defender will face a much harder task this weekend when he lines up against the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Samuel Eto’o and Kevin Mirallas.
“He is the only player who can play in the right-sided defensive position,” Van Gaal said of McNair.
“I chose him last week and he played very good. It’s difficult for a player like him to maintain that level – that is his biggest challenge.”
Juan Mata is expected to start in place of Wayne Rooney tomorrow.
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