Manchester United are going to have their work cut out providing Louis van Gaal with the perfection he demands.

The Reds boss has a CV to die for with four Dutch titles, two La Liga crowns and a Bundesliga triumph among his array of silverware in a 23-year career as a manager.

But the Dutchman says that he has overseen just one ‘perfect’ match in over 1000 matches he has managed.

And even that is actually only a ‘maybe’!

Back in 1995 LVG had taken Ajax to the Champions League final where they beat AC Milan and as holders the following season they travelled to Madrid to play Real in a group match and beat the Spaniards 2-0.

The referee overlooked two ‘goals’ by Jari Litmanen that crossed the line and Ajax were afforded a standing ovation by the Bernabeu crowd after they had dismantled Real.

At the time Van Gaal’s standards meant even that performance didn’t quite get his full approval as he said: “Because the game took place in an appealing tournament and a beautiful stadium people think it is fantastic. But I noticed a lot of mistakes.”

However, almost 20 years on and it seems the 63-year-old has mellowed slightly when asked if he had ever overseen the ‘perfect’ game he said: “Ajax, I think. In 1995, against Real Madrid away. That was maybe a perfect game – maybe, maybe!

“That is the only one in my eyes.”

Van Gaal did apologise that he hadn’t yet managed to provide that at United.

“With Manchester United? No, I’m sorry.”

However, Reds fans will be hoping that after the initial trauma of 2014, when the David Moyes era slumped further into disaster, that the Dutchman’s philosophy will fully click with the Reds squad and perfection might eventually be achieved.

Van Gaal certainly believes the Old Trafford crowd deserves success for the backing they have given him.

In the exacting atmospheres of the De Meer Stadium, Olympisch Stadium and Amsterdam Arena when in charge at Ajax, the Nou Camp at Barcelona and Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, Van Gaal was the target of abuse.

But he has discovered it is a different story at Old Trafford.

“I have never had the experience that when you lose or draw at home that the fans are still applauding for you, showing their belief in you. Never,” he added.

“In Barcelona, the white handkerchiefs come out. In Bayern, they whistle. In Amsterdam, Ajax, they are shouting for my friend Cruyff!

“Here, they are applauding – standing up and applauding. Unbelievable.

“That’s why I’m thanking the fans because they were very important in my first six months.”