It was Glasgow, 1996, and the Ajax manager was flanked by 6’3″ Winston Bogarde. Both men were wearing full-length leather coats which went from their necks practically to their ankles.

Big, haughty, they exuded: “We are Ajax. Who the **** are you” to everyone clamouring around them on their arrival at the airport.

It seems that from that day to this van Gaal (above, lifting the European Cup with Ajax in 1995) possesses the capacity to intimidate and to misdirect people’s impressions.

Having interviewed him many times since and watched his work closely I know him to have mellowed, enormously, and that underneath the bark and the not inconsiderable bite there is a good-humoured, passionate, interesting and multi-faceted man.

Nevertheless, before it has even been announced that he’s the next Manchester United manager, it’s being written very strongly that Wayne Rooney is already on a collision course with the 62 year old Dutchman.

Van Gaal’s ticket in, is Rooney’s ticket out.

Patrick Kluivert celebrates after a World Cop qualifier with Holland in 2001 – he could be phenomenal with Rooney

United would be daft to ‘reject’ Kluivert

I beg to differ. Firstly, it strongly appears that van Gaal will succeed David Moyes as long as a couple of things don’t get in the way.

a)      IF he’s decided that he doesn’t want Ryan Giggs on his first team staff (and I emphasize the word IF) and United tell him that it’s either take Giggs or don’t take the job then van Gaal is more than capable of saying: “Give the job to someone else then.” In fact in that scenario that’s what I’d back him to say. But if Giggs plays his hand shrewdly he should stay. Van Gaal makes a habit of keeping a link-man from the club he’s inheriting – Jose Mourinho at Barcelona and Hermann Gerland at Bayern Munich are examples. It’s the conduit he uses to get to know the youth set up quickly.

b)      IF United deny him the chance to take Patrick Kluivert with him (which they’d be daft to do) it’s also perfectly within van Gaal’s compass to turn the job down.

c)      IF Bayern Munich are stupid enough to allow teething trouble to make them think that they need root canal surgery and IF Pep Guardiola departs but wants to coach again immediately then perhaps United may be tempted to stage a beauty parade between the 44 year old Catalan and his former Barcelona coach.

Otherwise United have got the perfect, and I mean close to lottery winning perfect, coach for the job in Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal, aka ‘Louis’.

But, back to the widely circulated idea that because Robin van Persie and van Gaal ‘fit’ well on the training ground and for the national team, and because Rooney is known to have the occasional ‘off-pitch moment’ upon which disciplinarians might frown, it’s curtains for United’s best player.

Instead, I think that how van Gaal and Rooney ‘fit’ might be quite interesting.

Rooney’s Finnish inspiration…

For example: recently when I was interviewing the United No10 and asked him who he’d modelled himself on when he was younger, from whom he’d tried to learn it was a thrill to hear him say: Jari Litmanen (above, with Liverpool).

The Finn did have one particularly noble season at Liverpool and a shot at glory with Barcelona but his great days were with Louis van Gaal’s Ajax.

Rooney used to ask himself:

“How did Litmanen make that space for himself?”

“How did he compensate for not being particularly quick.”

The young Scouser used to feed off the Finn’s intelligence.

And it’s football intelligence and vision, even above obedience, that van Gaal rates most highly in one of his footballers. Technique and pace are right in the mix, naturally. But brains top his list.

Litmanen played in the No10 position for van Gaal – almost always with a striker (hypothetically van Persie) and two wingers ahead of him. Van Gaal would protect that ‘creative’ ’10′ position with two hard working, very clever ‘organising’ midfielders alongside it: Davids and Seedorf or Ronald De Boer for example

IF in Rooney van Gaal can find his new ‘Jari’ then the two men may well ‘click’.

Kluivert could show Rooney a thing or too…

As for Rooney’s infamous ‘personality’ he’s a winner who trains as he plays: all in, nothing left behind.

Van Gaal likes that. The root of his infamous spat with Luca Toni at Bayern Munich stemmed from the Italian training apathetically. Van Gaal wouldn’t have it. Not from anyone.

But if you want to, why not take a look at Patrick Kluivert?

If you blindfolded him and dumped him in Kazakstan he could find you a night club within about quarter of an hour.

All in all he could show any United player a thing or two about ‘off-pitch moments’ – but van Gaal likes and trusts the man and so he was given the chance to train and develop as a coach while van Gaal was winning the 2008/2009 Eredivisie with AZ Almaar and now Kluivert’s an assistant coach with the Dutch national team.

If you believed all the hype about the 62-year-old there would have been no way back into his life for Kluivert. The facts prove otherwise.

Van Gaal’s ferocity is a fact though. In the old training ground days at FC Barcelona, when we were allowed within about five metres of the training pitch, I’ve often seen the Dutch growler letting loose a stream of expletives while roaring at Rivaldo – at that time the FIFA world player of the year.

“RIVAALDOOOOOO, NOOOO! NO! ASI NO!”

“Rivaldo, no, no not like that.”

That’s how he’d break up a training drill and dress the Brazilian down, as if he were a trainee. He thought the Brazilian played too much for himself, not for the team. An unforgivable sin in van Gaal’s book.

‘You are not my player’

So TV reporter the Holland manager had fun with the other day when asked what he ‘knew about United’ only to be told that was a “stupid question” can be reassured that what he got was van Gaal-lite.

Previously he might have had a verbal dressing down, a kick up the backside and an order never to return until he got his act together.

It was also van Gaal, beginning his second and unsuccessful time at the helm of FC Barcelona who showed the ‘exit’ door to the same Juan Roman Riquelme who went on to thrill for Villarreal en route to the Champions League semi-final.

But to his credit van Gaal took Riquelme (pictured above), who’d been signed by Barça without the Dutchman’s involvement, and told him straight: ‘You aren’t my player, I don’t need you here – find yourself a team to go to on loan’.

Riquelme told me later:

“I was perfectly happy to be told, straight, rather than kept on and made to suffer on the bench until I got the message. Van Gaal treated me with respect by telling me to my face.”

I also recall the pain it caused van Gaal when midway through that season, he was sacked by Barça and he allowed tears of fury and frustration to escape his eyes as he insisted, to the last seconds of his ‘farewell’ press conference: “I AM the right man for this job!”

In those tears I don’t see weakness.

When he talked to TV reporters from the Dutch training camp this week, amongst whom was Sky Sports News’ admirable Gary Cotterill, he used the expression of ‘giving four years’ to Holland so that he could finally live his dream of coaching at a World Cup.

The expression was used advisedly.

What LVG could do at Manchester United

If United get him he’ll ‘give’ everything. He’ll be obsessive, he’ll be driven, he’ll expect a drive for perfection from everyone around him and he’ll be savage with anyone who doesn’t think or act the same way.

It’s what he thought he was giving to Barcelona back then, hence the hot tears of frustration more than shame at failure.

His drive for perfection even extends to holiday homes. He kept his villa near Sitges for years after leaving Barcelona but then sold it and bought in Portugal (where he was hunted down by reporters seeking United comments from him) because: “I don’t think that we get as many sunny days in Barcelona now as when I first moved here. There are more cloudy days and so I’m going somewhere else.” Meteorological inadequacy wasn’t for Louis.

Finally, there is his merited fame for total belief in promoting from within the ranks as soon as he feels there is raw talent sufficiently technically able and sufficiently well-tutored in his philosophy of football.

Remember, in the United treble season of 1999 (pictured above) it was van Gaal who gave Xavi his Champions League debut, aged 18, for Barcelona at Old Trafford (how ironic) in the first of two 3-3 draws between the sides in that Group stage.

(Maybe the two men could re-unite there… who knows, stranger things have happened).

“I pick whoever is the right guy to fit in my 4-3-3 formation, because I always play that way. If he is a young player and he can do it then I select him – if he is old then no problem for me. Age is not an important factor for me”. Gospel of van Gaal.

So what for the class of 2014

Andrés Iniesta (18) and Victor Valdés (20) followed as van Gaal debutants. It’s a strain which runs firmly through his career from 18 year old Kluivert coming on to win Ajax their first Champions League final in 1995 to full Bundesliga debuts for Thomas Müller, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber at Bayern aged 19, 17 and 20 respectively.

James Wilson, Tom Lawrence, Adnan Januzaj, Michael Keane and co couldn’t wish to be at a better place for their football development if van Gaal takes charge.

All in all I must say that I hope United get their man and their man gets United. Probably it was van Gaal who wrote the words to the Sham 69 hit ‘.. if the kids are United, then we’ll never .. be divided’.

Just as the ‘Class of 92′ hits the DVD shelves, the class of 2014 can hit the pitch.

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The Red Devils’ 1-0 defeat to Wigan means a win against Aston Villa is a must if they are to keep Manchester City at arm’s length in the title race. However, Alex McLeish’s men are in desperate need of three points to stave off the threat of relegation and won’t make life easy for United.

A quick look back at past results would suggest Sunday should be a stroll in the park for the Manchester side, with Villa winning just one of their last 32 league games against the Red Devils. They also have managed just one win at the Theatre of Dreams in the last 30 visits. However, Wigan had an equally dismal record against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men before Wednesday night and look what happened there.

Ferguson was livid with his players after their defeat at the DW Stadium and you’d expect a reaction from United, with the Scot suggesting he will bring back Paul Scholes after he sat out Wednesday’s game. The 37-year-old was at his masterful best as United brushed aside QPR on Easter Sunday. His experience, coupled with Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand’s, is likely to prove vital over the next five games, with Scholes’ presence likely to act as a calming influence for the younger players.

Along with Scholes, United will be looking towards Wayne Rooney to do the business for them, the England striker having scored nine goals in the last nine matches. As you might expect, United are a short price to win the game, with 1/4 being offered, while Villa are 11/1 and the draw is 5/1. As such, you might have to look elsewhere for a bit of value and Rooney to score first at 13/5 looks a good bet given he has broken the deadlock in five of the last six matches in which he has scored.

United should be comfortable winners and you can get them at 8/11 to win to nil, a likely scoreline given Villa’s troubles in front of goal as they have managed to score more than one goal only once in the last nine games.

No doubt Villa will make life awkward for United, getting plenty of men back behind the ball and packing the midfield, as has become manager Alex McLeish’s style. However, when you are looking for a win, this tactic perhaps isn’t the way to go about things and the best they can seemingly hope for is a draw, with 0-0 on offer at 14/1.

Many Villa fans will be nervously looking over their shoulders after a run of one win in 11 matches, leaving them just six points clear of the drop zone. McLeish’s appointment clearly hasn’t worked, the former Birmingham City boss failing to use the assets he has correctly. The Scot has had little money to spend but his biggest signing, Charles N’Zogbia, hasn’t done it for him so far.

The former Wigan man is one of four players returning to the Villa set up after Monday’s 1-1 draw with Stoke, with Carlos Cuellar, Ciaran Clark and Nathan Delfouneso also available.

Even with a few fresh faces in the team, it is going to take a minor miracle for Villa to get anything out of the game and United should be able to breathe a bit easier come Sunday night.

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Manchester United

The league leaders saw their hopes of a Treble go up in smoke when they were beaten by local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday but can resume normal service on Tyneside.

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson has historically made a point of highlighting the need for his team to be in contention for the title in advance of the Easter period and there is enough evidence to suggest they should come through an awkward assignment in the north east and stay on track for a record 19th domestic crown.

The game’s longest-serving manager will have taken some consolation from Arsenal’s failure to beat Liverpool on Sunday, meaning the north Londoners now trail United by six points, and the return of Wayne Rooney is a crucial shot in the arm.

The England striker was inspirational without scoring in the Champions League decider against Chelsea at Old Trafford and his mobility will cause a vulnerable Newcastle defence plenty of headaches.

Ferguson’s thinly-veiled criticism of Dimitar Berbatov’s profligacy at Wembley on Saturday would also lend itself to the suggestion that the 22-goal Bulgarian will make way for the returning Rooney – and reignite conjecture about his future at Old Trafford.

United have looked far-from-convincing on their travels in the Premier League – they have only managed five wins – and they can expect a strong opening from a Newcastle side fresh from a nine-day break.

Alan Pardew has already said he will not spare good friend Ferguson any sentiment and he has his own motive for picking up three vital points given that Newcastle are just six points off third-from-bottom Blackpool.

Inconsistency has cost the Magpies on home soil and it is difficult to envisage which Newcastle will turn up when United roll into town.

The 18/5 about Newcastle spoiling the party for United makes for little appeal, but, by the same token, the 7/10 on offer for a Manchester United win is hardly a price to whet the appetite.

The 17/2 about Newcastle in the half-time lead and fail to win market, which also factors in the draw, could appeal to the more speculative punter anticipating a strong start from the side before a rally from the visitors.

An alternative way in could be to take the 8/1 about Manchester United to win from behind or, at a far juicier price of 25/1, take the Newcastle-Manchester United outcome in the half-time full-time market.

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Manchester United

Yes, they won. Yes, they remain unbeaten but they are not exactly pulling up trees at the moment and looking like they are going all the way – in any competition.

Rooney seemingly has not been back to his best, having endured a torrid World Cup campaign and mustering only one goal in five appearances this season for United, with the England man now facing another spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Dimitar Berbatov’s extra fitness work over the summer appeared to work dividends, as he started the season on fire and looked set to justify the hype over his big-money move in 2008.

The Bulgarian bagged seven goals in his first six games, culminating in his hat-trick which secured the 3-2 win over Liverpool. However, he has not scored in the six games since and certainly does not provide the work-rate that Rooney also offers – normal service has resumed and Fergie needs to get him on the treadmill again.

There is a school of thought that says foreign players need time to adjust to the Premier League, so what can be expected of Javier Hernandez. Although the “Little Pea” has scored five goals in his last eight games, he gives the impression of being the “new” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – ie: an impact substitute from the bench.

Luis Nani is trying to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and has contributed a lot this season already, but he is far too inconsistent for United to be able to depend on him in the same way – despite his own belief that he is now “one of the top players in the world” – where did that come from.

Although unbeaten, United have slipped five points behind Chelsea already in the table and need a fully fit and firing Rooney (16/1 Premier League Top Goalscorer) if they are to have any realistic chance of regaining the title.

Speaking of strikers, Liverpool (6/4 for a Top Six Finish), who have now won two on the bounce, need one! Fernando Torres has not quite recovered from injury and looks a shadow of the player that has tormented the Premier League in the past. A guaranteed starter for the club, injury-permitting, but if he is not doing it, who else can Roy Hodgson call upon?

David Ngog, Ryan Babel or Milan Jovanovic? Bring back Robbie Keane! I am expecting Hodgson to make some moves in the January transfer window – if he is still there!

Refereeing decisions are coming increasingly under the spotlight but let’s make one thing clear, referees, at one point or another, are always going to make a strange/wrong/downright stupid decisions – generally in favour of the “big teams”.

How Bolton did not get one of two penalty decisions on Sunday is anyone’s guess, but the answer is they were playing Liverpool.

Mark Clattenburg realised the error of his ways on Saturday after not giving Nani a penalty against Spurs, by allowing him to stroke home unimpeded immediately afterwards as Heurelho Gomes foolishly thought a free-kick had been given in his favour. It was at Old Trafford, Heurelho.

Tuncay’s ‘goal’ against Everton was ruled out at Goodison Park, presumably because Leighton Baines was put off by the breathing on his neck, although Andrei Arshavin must realise only Maraoune Chamakh at Arsenal is going to get penalties when there is no/little contact.

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Wayne Rooney

Rooney suffered another ankle injury in training last week in a tackle from Paul Scholes prior to United’s Champions League victory over Bursaspor.

The England striker’s return had been pencilled in, by media and fans at least, for the Manchester derby at Eastlands on November 10, but Ferguson’s comments cast doubt on that now.

When asked if three weeks remained the prognosis, Ferguson, speaking ahead of Saturday’s late Premier League game against Tottenham at Old Trafford, replied: “I think it may be longer. There is no recovery, it is just rest. Before he went away we did his remedial in terms of what we could do at the time. Thereafter, rest – we’re quite happy with that.”

Ferguson’s message to Rooney following his new, record-breaking five-year deal last week, appears to be about him remaining the boss, but his continued praise for the lively Javier Hernandez (25/1) also could be construed as a word of warning to the England striker to pull his socks up.

The United boss said he was happy with the form of ‘Chicharito’ and stated that when Rooney does come back he will have some big decisions to make about team selection.

Hernandez has taken his opportunity well in the last month and banged in four goals in his last three starts, including the winners against Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers (4/7 Man United 11/4 draw 9/2 Tottenham – 90 minutes betting).

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England

The Manchester United star caused a storm last week by stating he was ready to call time on his Old Trafford career, but then had a change of heart and agreed a contract extension with United to keep him at the club until 2015 (Manchester United 9/2 to win the 2010-11 Premier League).

The 25-year-old’s private life has also dominated the front and back pages in recent weeks, but Capello claims the only thing that counts for him is the striker’s actions on the pitch. With just one league goal to his name this season, a penalty against West Ham, Capello has told Rooney he needs to find his form or risk losing his place in the England side.

“If he’s (in form) I’ll play him, otherwise no,” Capello told RAI. “For anything else, you’ve got to ask (Manchester United boss Sir Alex) Ferguson.”

Rooney has struggled for form since the end of last season and failed to deliver for England at the World Cup in South Africa during the summer.

Ferguson stated earlier in the campaign the striker was suffering with an ankle problem, which Rooney later denied, although he is now sidelined with an ankle injury which will see him miss Tuesday’s Carling Cup showdown with Wolves at Old Trafford.

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is expected to be rested, after hitting a brace against Stoke on Sunday, and Ferguson could hand Michael Owen the chance to impress against Mick McCarthy’s men.

The United boss set to make plenty of changes to his starting XI in order to give his first choice players a rest ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown with Spurs on Saturday (Manchester United 2/7, Draw 4/1, Wolves 11/1 – Match Betting).

Rooney could possibly return to action on November 10 when United make the short trip across Manchester to face fierce rivals Manchester City at Eastlands, despite initial reports suggesting he could be out of action for over three weeks.

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Manchester United

The news will come as a huge relief to the United faithful who had resigned themselves to losing the England international after a statement on Wednesday said he would not be signing his new deal.

With his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2012, speculation he could leave Old Trafford was rampant in the media as they began to link the forward with the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

While no club came forward with an actual offer there would have been no shortage of takers had the 24-year-old stuck to his word and left United.

A statement on Wednesday had indicated Rooney’s time at the club was up, with Ferguson revealing he had been told the striker wanted to leave at a press conference that night.

The United boss spent Thursday afternoon in a meeting with United chief executive David Gill in a bid to rectify the situation.

While no official statement was released by the club on Thursday night Gill did tell United fans to be patient.

Those who did keep the faith will have been rewarded by Friday’s news that Rooney has agreed a new five year contract which will keep him at the club until 2015.

“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United.  I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay,” Ferguson told United’s official website.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.  I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.”

Ferguson’s comments come after a difficult week for the United (4/1 Premier League outright) manager, whose own future was questioned as part of the saga.

Reports had indicated that Rooney and Ferguson had fallen out over the striker’s phantom ankle injury, with the player having denied he ever had such a problem.

However, things appear to have been patched up with Rooney claiming Ferguson had played a big part in helping him to commit his future to United.

“I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. I’ve spoken to the manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this where I belong,” said Rooney.

“I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.”

Rooney went on to apologise to the United supporters for what had happened over the last week.

Some members of the Old Trafford faithful had shown their unhappiness at Rooney’s apparent decision to leave by protesting outside his home on Thursday night.

However, they will hope all the drama is behind Rooney and United now as they look to get their title challenge back on track.

There was no word as to whether Rooney would feature in United’s Premier League game at Stoke (4/1 – 90 minutes betting) having missed Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Bursaspor with an ankle injury.

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Chelsea

Rooney has told United he wants to leave Old Trafford, citing the club’s lack of ambition to secure the world’s top players as the reason behind his decision to call time on his stay with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Chelsea are one of a small group of clubs who could afford to capture the England international and Terry is keen to link up with Rooney at club level having been an international team-mate for a number of years.

“Wayne is one of the best young players in the world,” said Terry. “I am no different to any other player in saying that.

“You obviously have to respect Manchester United and Wayne, but who knows what’s going to happen.

“We’ve got a great squad of players and he would add to that and strengthen the squad. He is the best player in the world for me.”

If Chelsea decide to move for the former Everton striker he will compete with the likes of Didier Drogba and Anelka for a place in the starting eleven. Anelka insists he would love to partner Rooney in attack and the Frenchman remains hopeful Chelsea will try and convince Rooney to move to London.

“Rooney is a good player, everybody knows his quality,” Anelka explained.

“If he wants to come to Chelsea then he is welcome, but I am not the owner.”

If Chelsea do move for Rooney they are likely to face competition from at home and abroad, with Manchester City the current favourites to prise the 24-year-old away from United (City 7/4f to sign Wayne Rooney).  Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he would welcome Rooney at the Bernabeu, although he expects him to stick with United, while Spanish champions Barcelona are also believed to be keen.

Chelsea face Wolves on Saturday after seeing off Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday, with both Terry and Anelka expected to feature in the tie with the Premier League strugglers (Match Betting – Chelsea 1/7, draw 6/1, Wolves 14/1).

Manchester United travel to Stoke on Sunday but Rooney will play no part as he is suffering from an ankle problem and it remains to be seen whether he will feature again for United after expressing his desire to quit the Premier League heavyweights (Match Betting – Stoke 4/1, draw 5/2, United 4/6).

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Vincent Kompany

The Belgium international defender chose to play down the prospect of Rooney making the short move across Manchester from United to City, although he did admit that he would relish the prospect of playing alongside such a quality player.

Instead Kompany chose to look at more imminent tasks as opposed to the possibility of City swooping to take Rooney, who cited a lack of ambition and assurances about United’s plans for the future as his reasons for snubbing a new deal offer and wanting to quit Old Trafford.

The City ace was more interested in looking ahead to the side’s mission to secure some silverware this season.

He said: “It is not for me to say. Obviously the focus is on what we are doing right now.

“I am sure in January there will a lot of discussion about players but now it does not seem to be a priority.

“He (Rooney) is a great player but am I saying anything surprising? I love playing against him as I love playing against great players.

“He gives you a difficult game but he makes you play better as well when you defend against him.”

Kompany feels Lech Poznan could pose a real threat to City and he urged his team-mates not to be complacent given that not won anything yet for the club.

He added: “This one is very important. The FA Cup (City 13/2 Outright) will be very important to us just as much as the league.

“Any trophy would be very welcome. The level in the Europa League (City 5/1 Outright) is very high. Any games in Europe gives you experience.”

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Manchester City

England ace Rooney has informed the Red Devils that he does not want to sign a new deal, with strong speculation claiming City are ready to step in and offer the 24-year-old an escape route to Eastlands.

The former Everton youngster has been frozen out of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting plans as a result – the Scot has been sitting on the news since August – and he is certain to have no shortage of admirers despite a slump in form.

Mancini, however, has played a straight bat to questions over a swoop for Rooney although he did make sure the player would be left in no doubt over the Italian’s admiration.

Mancini said: “Rooney is a great player but I think he’ll stay at United. He’s a good player, he’s an important player for United.

“He is a United player. It’s not correct to speak about that situation. I have respect for him, for Ferguson, for United. I want to speak only about my players.

“It’s not my problem. I’m City manager. I have a lot of problems with my players. It’s important for me to focus on Thursday’s game (against Lech Poznan in the Europa League). He is a strong player like (Fernando) Torres, like (Lionel) Messi, like Carlos Tevez, like (Mario) Balotelli. This is my opinion.”

If Rooney does end up at City he will form part of a squad that has still to reach its potential, according to summer signing James Milner.

The England midfielder left Aston Villa for City in the summer but he was just one of a number of big-name arrivals alongside the likes of David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.

City have since gone on to secure second place in the Premier League behind Chelsea and Milner is confident things will get even better over the coming weeks and months once they hit their straps.

He said in the Daily Mirror: “The best is to come but it’s the sign of a good team when you can win and not play your best football. Obviously it takes time for a side with so many new faces to become a unit.

“We have a lot of very good players here, players who are determined to succeed. Hopefully we can keep improving as a team, keep moving forward and hopefully you’ll see the best of us soon.”

City are 2/9 to beat Lech Poznan (12/1) at Eastlands on Thursday night.

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