Newly re-elected Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has backed Louis van Gaal to succeed at Manchester United, after the Dutchman helped bring through players like Xavi, Carlos Puyol and Andres Iniesta during his time with the Catalonian club.
Bartomeu spoke of his admiration for the 63-year-old manager, who led the club for three years from 1997 to 2000 and again for a season in 2002-03, helping to nurture key players.
"We know him from when he was at Barcelona and you have to remember that one of our best players of the past 15 years, Xavi, was brought through by Van Gaal," he told reporters.
"He put Xavi, Puyol and others into the first team. Van Gaal did something very good by having a lot of confidence in our young players. The youth players of our academy, La Masia, he used them a lot and he was right because for the last 12 or 15 years those players have been the best players in our team.
"We know how strong, intelligent and clever he is, how he gets the best that is possible from his players, and United are going to be one of the top clubs this year, I'm sure."
Barca face Van Gaal's side in the International Champions Cup on Saturday evening.
Sam McEvoy
