Van Gaal the right personality for Manchester United, says Rio Ferdinand

The departing defender believes that the Dutchman, who will be announced as David Moyes's permanent successor later in May, should be a good fit at Old Trafford
Rio Ferdinand believes that Louis van Gaal is the right kind of man to take on the task of managing Manchester United.

The Dutchman's announcement as David Moyes's permanent successor was delayed on Thursday so as to allow him time to prepare the Netherlands squad for their friendly against Ecuador without distraction.

Van Gaal has made an impact at some of the world's biggest clubs and the centre-back, who will not be at Old Trafford next season after announcing his departure this summer, expects him to bring the same qualities to the Premier League.

"He seems very strong and direct, has a good understanding and knowledge of what he wants to do and doesn't deviate. You need to be like that at a club like Man United," Ferdinand told reporters.

"At every club he's been at - Ajax, Bayern Munich, Barcelona - he seems to have gone in and done things his own way and I envisage him doing same thing if he comes in to United like it's anticipated."

Van Gaal will be able to focus on domestic football in his first season as a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League this term denied United qualificaton for any European competition, something which Ferdinand feels will help the Red Devils mount a title challenge.

"Yeah, 100 per cent, I think [it will help]," he argued. "No disrespect to Liverpool but, if Liverpool had been in the Champions League this season, I don't think they would have been where they were. You need a bigger squad, it's a lot tougher on your season, many more games obviously.

"So next season, speaking from an outside view, I think people will back a team to put up a good challenge and I think it will be us because of the volume of games. Around March, April time we'd kind of normally be patching up our players to get on the pitch to make sure we try to kind of sustain a run in the league or the cup so, without that, I think we have a fantastic chance next season."

Ferdinand now faces a decision on where next to ply his trade. The 35-year-old has been linked with moves to Major League Soccer and Turkey, with English sides Arsenal and Hull City also reported as holding an interest.

"In the coming days I will start to think about my next step and make a decision on what will happen," the veteran said of his next move. "I haven't had much time to do that yet since the season ended.

"I've been able to get away from the hype and enjoy my time."