Cleverley expects special start to van Gaal era as Premier League begins

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MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley believes Louis van Gaal’s side will provide an early glimpse of their new manager’s swaggering style in the Premier League opener against Swansea today.

United kick off the domestic campaign seeking to drastically improve on last season’s dismal campaign and Cleverley is confident his team will make a fast start at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal has been charged with clearing up the mess left by his predecessor David Moyes, who was sacked as United slumped to seventh place – their lowest ever finish in Premier League history and their worst since 1990.

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Van Gaal, who led the Netherlands to the recent World Cup semi-finals, will get his first taste of the Premier League this weekend and Cleverley claims United are ready to show the benefits of the Dutchman’s work on the training ground.

“It’s very much pass and move, always asking for the ball,” Cleverley said.

“And the manager is so clear that there can be no questions asked from our point of view.

“We know exactly what he wants and are confident that if we do what he wants on the pitch, we’ll win.

“It’ll be the manager’s first competitive game and I’m sure it’ll be a special atmosphere.”

Cleverley was targeted by a section of the United supporters last season as he bore the brunt of some of the team’s failings under Moyes.

And he claims there is a determination in the United squad to make amends, starting with the visit of Garry Monk’s side.

“We can’t wait to get going against Swansea and look to put right the wrongs from last year,” Cleverley added.

“This club has always been renowned for bouncing back from sticky patches and that’s one of the reasons it’s so loved around the world.

“The game is at home and I’m sure the fans will be the same as us – raring to go.” — AFP