In a stunning and scathing interview, former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has lashed out at the club’s current direction, calling it “a commercial club, not a football club,” and accusing its leadership of exploiting staff with “inhuman” demands.
Van Gaal, known for his blunt honesty and tactical mind, didn’t hold back when asked about Manchester United’s trajectory in recent years. “Manchester United is no longer driven by footballing values,” he said. “It’s a business first. Football comes second.”
The Dutchman, who managed United from 2014 to 2016 and led them to an FA Cup victory in 2016, has never shied away from criticizing the club’s operations. But his latest comments are among his harshest to date — and they offer a rare glimpse into what he describes as a toxic culture behind the scenes.
“People don’t see what goes on inside,” Van Gaal said. “The employees, the people who work behind the curtains, they are made to do things that are simply inhuman. They are overworked, disrespected, and all just to serve the endless hunger for profit from those at the top.”
He didn’t name specific board members or executives but made it clear that his criticism was aimed at the highest levels of the club’s hierarchy — those who, in his words, “treat Old Trafford like a stock portfolio, not a football sanctuary.”
Van Gaal also pointed out that this commercial obsession is directly linked to the team’s lack of on-field success. “You cannot build a winning team when the people running the club care more about global brand partnerships than about developing players or supporting a manager’s vision,” he added.
His remarks arrive at a particularly tense time for United. The club has faced mounting criticism for its performance, structure, and transfer policy, especially in light of the recent INEOS acquisition of a minority stake and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s attempts to reshape football operations. Many fans had hoped that the new changes would signal a shift back toward football-first priorities. Van Gaal’s comments suggest otherwise.
“There are people who still believe in the club,” Van Gaal said. “But belief is not enough. The soul of Manchester United is fading — and unless the people in charge remember what this club was built on, it will be lost.”
As news of his comments spreads, reactions from fans have been swift and divided. Some applaud Van Gaal’s candor and say he’s simply speaking a truth that many supporters have felt for years. Others feel his words are bitter, stemming from his own abrupt dismissal in 2016 — just days after delivering silverware.
Regardless of where one stands, one thing is clear: Van Gaal has reignited a critical conversation about what Manchester United really stands for in 2025 — and whether it can ever reclaim the soul that once made it the pride of English football.
This is a developing story.
