During the World Cup, it is very difficult to book air tickets and hotels.
Xia Xing spent a lot of money to come and watch the World Cup.
Even when he wanted to leave, he couldn't buy a suitable plane ticket.
Finally, he paid extra for first class and was able to board a plane back to England.
But unexpectedly, he saw Van Gaal sitting next to him.
Although it was the first time they met, Xia Xing still greeted him politely.
"Hello, Coach Van Gaal, I didn't expect to meet you here."
Van Gaal was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly heard someone greeting him.
"Um?"
Looking to the side, He saw a strange oriental face.
He haven't seen it before, but it seems a little familiar...
Xia Xing quickly introduced himself to avoid embarrassment.
"Coach Van Gaal, I am a player of Manchester United's youth team. My name is Xia Xing. I was loaned to Leicester City last season. The loan period has expired and I have returned to Manchester United."
"oh!"
Van Gaal remembered.
"Are you the Chinese kid who scored the winning goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup final?"
"Yes."
"I remember you."
Once you find a topic, the conversation will be much easier.
"Xia, how was your time at Leicester City last season? I remember you became a regular starter for Leicester City and helped the team get promoted. You were pretty good."
"Thank you for your compliment. I do have a lot to improve on."
"That's true. After all, you are too young now. The Premier League stage is far from comparable to the Championship. You still need to accumulate a lot."
"I will try my best."
"What are your thoughts on next season?"
Xia Xing was stunned when he heard Van Gaal's words.
How do I answer this?
What do I think?
What can I say?
I want to be a regular starter at Manchester United next season.
I have no say in this.
Seeing that Xia Xing didn't say anything for a long time, Van Gaal also felt that there was something wrong with his question.
"Xia, let me tell you about my ideas."
"I'm all ears."
At this time, the plane began to take off, temporarily interrupting the conversation between the two.
It only took a short time for the plane to resume smooth operation from the ground to the sky.
Van Gaal looked at the scene outside the window and continued with the previous topic.
"Xia, I just came back from a less than ideal World Cup experience,
"Well, we didn't make it to the final, which is a shame.
"We prepared well before the game, but we still couldn't make it to the end.
"I am not saying this to talk to you about the Dutch national team,
"but to tell you that since I took over as Manchester United coach, I don't know much about Manchester United.
"Except for a few top players, I don't know many of the others.
"That includes you, don't blame me for speaking frankly.
"But I still have some impression of you.
"Because of your performance in the FA Cup final.
"To be honest, when I first arrived at Manchester United, it is unlikely that I would take any risks.
"I will choose players that I am familiar with, formations that I am familiar with, and playing styles that I am familiar with.
"I will also bring in some big-name stars,
"big-name stars who have proven themselves in the top leagues,
"As for many youngsters, they can only wait for their chances on the bench.
"The League Cup and FA Cup are good stages, but forget about the league."
"I am speaking to the youngsters in the Manchester United first team.
"They won't have many chances for most of next season.
"So, do you understand?"
Van Gaal is a serious person, but his expression is very serious.
Xia Xing looked at him, speechless for a long while.
Xia Xing had already heard it from Van Gaal's words just now.
Even the youngsters in the first team don't have a chance, let alone the youth team players.
For players like me who are in the youth team and are still on loan, there is even less hope.
Seeing that Xia Xing didn't speak for a long time, Van Gaal continued.
"I am not a coach who likes to comfort people.
I have my own characteristics and my own personality.
"I say whatever I have to, especially to the players.
"I won't force you and coax you saying I will give you a chance, but instead Keeping you on the bench.
"I think that kind of coach is rubbish.
"I like to be straightforward, I hope you don't mind."
Xia Xing nodded.
"That's right. I also like to speak my mind.
"Since you just expressed your thoughts,
"I also want to talk to you about the future I want."
Hearing this, Van Gaal crossed his feet with interest and looked at Xia Xing, waiting for him to continue.
"I am enjoying my football at Leicester City.
"I love the feeling of playing football.
"After a season, I not only helped the team to be promoted to the Premier League,
"I also helped the team win the FA Cup.
"And we still won the championships by winning Premier League giants,
"I think this championship is very valuable.
"So even though I have never played in the Premier League, I am still very confident in myself.
"I believe I will show my ability in the Premier League to convince everyone!
"Now that I am back at Manchester United, it is actually like returning to a new environment.
"After all, I have been at Manchester United for too short a time, not even one-tenth of the time I spent at Leicester City.
"I can accept being a substitute or a bench player next season,
but I hope to get more playing opportunities.
If I don't play, I won't be able to show my strength and prove myself.
"I don't want to sit on the bench for a season.
I've played in the League Cup and I've won the FA Cup.
"I'd rather be playing in the Premier League.
"So you asked me what I thought about next season,
"I'm telling you honestly,
"I want to get enough playing time in the Premier League, " he said.
"That's my true feeling."
Looking at Xia Xing who was speaking with confidence in front of him, Van Gaal kept staring into his eyes.
At this moment, he really admired this young man.
If he were still the head coach of a Dutch Eredivisie team, he would definitely do his best to train young people, give them opportunities and give them time.
But now he is the head coach of Manchester United.
Manchester United will not give the head coach too much time.
They came to him because they needed to achieve results as quickly as possible.
Money is not a problem, and many other things are not a problem.
As long as he can achieve results, it doesn't matter if he sells all the players and then buy a new team.
Therefore, it is impossible to train young people.
Even if young people are given a chance to play, it will definitely be of great help to the game.
But this young man has never played a Premier League game, so there is no way he can place his bet on him.
Thinking of this, Van Gaal spoke again.
"Xia, I appreciate your straightforwardness, it's good.
"But unfortunately, I can't agree to your request.
"Manchester United may play more pragmatically next season.
It is impossible to give too many opportunities to youngsters.
"Let alone you,
"I'll give you three options for you to consider:
"First, if you stay at Manchester United, I will give you a chance to enter the first team, but it is unlikely that you will be included in the squad.
"Second, if you go out on loan, I can loan you to a Premier League team to satisfy your wish to play in the Premier League. It is also okay for you to return to Leicester City.
"Third, transfer directly to where you want to go. I will try my best to make the transfer fee easier for you and help you get a better salary.
"Which of these three options do you want to choose?"
(End of this chapter)