5 Big Names Who Made Their Debuts Under Louis van Gaal

Even though the club spent a large amount of money on players like Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao this summer, there is reason for Manchester United's young players to be excited about new manager Louis van Gaal.

The Dutch boss has always favoured youth: At Ajax, Barcelona, AZ and Bayern Munich, Van Gaal gave various future superstars their big break. Many of these players would go on to win league titles, Champions Leagues and even World Cups.  

Here, we take a look at five of the biggest players who made their debuts under Louis van Gaal. 

Clarence Seedorf

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Clarence Seedorf has won the Champions League four times at three different clubs, the first of which he won under the leadership of Louis van Gaal at Ajax in 1995.

The Dutch boss, who used Seedorf as a central midfielder in his 4-3-3/3-4-3 hybrid system, had given his pupil the chance to make his debut at the age of 16.

After going on to become one of the most successful footballers of all time, Seedorf retired from the professional game only last year.

His first attempt to follow Van Gaal's managerial footsteps—as AC Milan boss—failed, but it's likely Seedorf will give coaching another go at some point in the future. 

Thomas Mueller

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

This summer, Thomas Mueller won the World Cup with Germany. Only five years ago, in 2009, he made his debut for Bayern Munich.

It's amazing to see how quickly Mueller has developed himself into a world-class player, and it's fair to state that Van Gaal's mentorship had at least something to do with it all.

"It's no secret that Louis van Gaal and I have a relationship that goes a little beyond the normal relationship between coaches and players," the Bayern Munich man told Bild, per Ben Jefferson of the Express. 

Xavi

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

At Barcelona, Van Gaal worked with many youngsters. 

One of them, Xavier Hernandez, would later win the World Cup with Spain and become one of the best midfielders on the planet. 

Of Van Gaal, Xavi has said the following, per ESPN:

"

I have an extraordinary memory of him. He was almost my first coach as a professional. He always talked face to face, was very good to me and treated me well. He believed a lot in me. He fits his style to the players he has.

"

It's a shame that Xavi rejected the chance to be reunited with his former manager at Manchester United in the summer, as reported by Ben Jefferson of the Express. 

Andres Iniesta

Bernat Armangue/Associated Press

Xavi isn't the only Spanish World Cup winner who made his debut under Van Gaal. Back in 2002, the Dutchman gave Andres Iniesta his chance to prove himself at Barcelona as well. 

"The truth is he is someone who I have very special memories of," the Spaniard told Barca Fans TV, per ESPN. "He is someone who had something very clear—he took risks with young players."

Now, 12 years later, Iniesta is still considered to be among the world's greats. 

Patrick Kluivert

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

In 1995, Patrick Kluivert scored the winning goal in the Champions League final for Ajax, the club where he grew up. 

At the time, Kluivert was only 18 years of age, and perhaps that was too young. Never again would Kluivert reach the same level of success.

Despite all of that, however, it is remarkable how Van Gaal put his faith in such a young player to win him the Champions League.

At the World Cup in Brazil, when Van Gaal was boss of the Dutch national team, Kluivert was Van Gaal's assistant. The man who mentored Kluivert as a player was now teaching him what it took to be a manager.