Van Gaal points to winter break for European failures

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal thinks Premier League teams are failing in Europe because there is no winter break in English football.

The Premier League has no representatives in the Champions League quarter-finals for the second time in three seasons.

Barcelona knocked Manchester City out a week after Paris St Germain eliminated Chelsea, and Arsenal also bowed out with a limp defeat to Monaco.

Just six years ago, three English teams made the last four, although Manchester United failed to lift the trophy in the final after defeat to Barcelona.

Van Gaal, who won the trophy with Ajax 20 years ago, has managed in Holland, Spain and Germany. He thinks teams from those countries — and the rest of Europe - benefit hugely from the break they have over the festive period.

“We have to play four or five matches in two weeks and they have a break of two weeks,” the Manchester United manager said.

"How many matches have Bayern Munich played in the meantime, for example? That's the difference.

“They are much fresher than players of Arsenal or Chelsea. That, in my opinion, is the difference because players need rest.”

Van Gaal has a point. Bayern have played 37 matches this year — seven fewer than Chelsea, who lost to PSG on away goals after extra-time last week.

Much to Van Gaal’s dismay, United themselves had a demanding spell of four games in nine days over Christmas.

Van Gaal also thinks the days when the Premier League was the most lucrative place to come for a big pay day are long gone.

“The world is changing, it’s not the same world as 20 years ago,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach said.

“Twenty years ago the English Premier League was up here, had a lot of money, a lot of players came to the Premier League because you are paying well and the Premier League is a high standard.

“But the other countries are developing themselves... and they also have a winter break.”