Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has no doubt Arsene Wenger is one of the world's best managers – but is not sure he could go 11 years at one club without a league title like the Frenchman.
Wenger, who celebrated 19 years in charge of Arsenal this week and last guided them to the Premier League title in 2004, has faced criticism over the past few days following his side's 3-2 home loss to Olympiakos in the Champions League.
Ahead of United’s top-flight trip to Arsenal on Sunday, Van Gaal said of his counterpart: “I think he is doing great work.
“When you can, like Sir Alex Ferguson, stay at a club for such a long time, you have to be very good otherwise you shall not succeed.
“So I think Arsene Wenger is one of the best coaches of this world. In the same way, I think Sir Alex Ferguson is the best because he won the most titles.
“It is easy to say that, but with Arsene Wenger, when you are such a long time with one club and everybody is satisfied – the fans, the board, the players – then you are very good, believe me.”
The extent to which all those mentioned are currently satisfied is up for debate.
And when asked if he thought any manager in Spain or Germany could go 11 years in a job without winning the league like Wenger, Van Gaal said: “I think you have to ask the board of Arsenal that question, not me.”
Van Gaal – who had already described Wenger and Ferguson as “other types” to him in terms of their longevity in one job and his more nomadic career – was then asked if it would be enough for him to go so long at a top club without winning the top prize.
“That is difficult to answer because I have won a lot of titles,” said the Dutchman, a champion with the likes of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
“That is my aim and I want to do it in different countries, not only in the Netherlands but in Spain and Germany and England. That is my ambition.
“As I said, I am not that type. I like to win a lot.”
Van Gaal has expressed his ambition to win both the Premier League and Champions League with United.
They are currently top of the Premier League and he says they believe they can stay there this season – something that will only be enhanced with victory at fourth-placed Arsenal.
“You have to believe always in this,” the 64-year-old said.
“I think the balance in our selection is much better than last year” – when United finished fourth in his first term in charge – “and last year we also had the chance. So I believe in that, and the most important thing is not only my belief but that the players are believing in that.
“If we win against Arsenal, the belief shall raise a lot I think.”
Meanwhile, Van Gaal has emphasised he is more than happy for Michael Carrick to play on for England as long as possible.
The 34-year-old midfielder sat out United’s win over Wolfsburg on Wednesday before being called up to Roy Hodgson’s squad on Thursday.
And Van Gaal said: “He is fit enough. He is able to play for me against Arsenal. He was not really injured – it was a minor injury of tiredness.
“He is 34, so it is logical he needs more time to recover. But when Roy Hodgson thinks he needs him I am very happy for him, because he wants to play for the national team.
“He has also selected Phil Jones, who still needs minutes, so I am happy he can do that with the England squad.”
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
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Rating: 3.5/5
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
The specs
Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)
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Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
