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Ruud Gullit 'amazed' Louis van Gaal did not buy defenders at Man United

Ruud Gullit has launched an attack on Louis van Gaal in De Telegraaf by saying it is amazing the Manchester United manager did not focus on bringing in centre-backs in his summer spending spree.

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The former Chelsea and Newcastle manager, who is one of Netherlands' greatest players, accused his fellow Dutchman of not understanding the demands of the Premier League.

And Gullit said Van Gaal's focus on attack-minded players was typically Dutch but is wrong for English football.

The 63-year-old spent 152 million pounds bringing in British record signing Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo.

Rojo, who made his first two appearances as a left-back, played his first game as a central defender against West Ham on Saturday.

And Gullit said: "How on earth is it possible that such an experienced and successful manager thought he could start the season at Man United without buying a couple of really strong central defenders?

"I am still amazed by his buying and his transfers. If you only strengthen the midfield and the attack, than you are underestimating the level and the power of the Premier League. If you want to survive in the top flight of English football you start with the foundation and you build the roof of your house last. Van Gaal has done it the other way round.

"After the departure of Nemanja Vidic to Inter, and Rio Ferdinand to QPR it was obvious that new central defenders were needed. And he had 200 million in his chequebook to spend. If you don't use part of that to buy strong, experienced central defenders you have the wrong idea about the Premier League.

"Now matters are even worse because of all the injuries in his defence. He is having to fill one gap after another. And if you have so many injuries and you have not bought the defenders, than you are doing something wrong at your club.

"I feel that his transfer policy at United and his choice to buy only midfielders and attackers is down to his Dutch background. In the Netherlands he grew up only thinking about attacking football.

'Van Gaal is learning lessons right now. He sees that his defenders are having to deal with the strongest strikers in the world. They bash into his young defenders. In England there are different laws in football. Just look at Gerard Pique. At Barcelona he has become one of the best defenders in the world. At Man United he could not get a look in."