Van Gaal unfazed by Pep’s arrival

LOUIS van Gaal declared he was “very pleased” to hear Pep Guardiola had been appointed Manchester City manager.

City announced on Monday that Guardiola would replace Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season.

Guardiola has earned a reputation as one of the best coaches in the world with time managing Barcelona and Bayern Munich and collecting 19 trophies in the process.

Many Manchester United fans had wanted the Catalan to replace Van Gaal as their boss, but the Dutchman is not fazed by the arrival of such a prestigious rival.

“He is my former captain so I am very pleased to see him,” the United manager said. “And I can speak Spanish so it is convenient for him.”

United fans clapped off their manager after watching his team romp to an easy 3–0 win over Stoke last night.

Jesse Lingard, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial found the net in a convincing victory that kept the Red Devils fifth in the league, five points behind Arsenal in fourth.

The second goal was the pick, a curling effort from Martial on the edge of the box.