LONDON, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his successor in the Old Trafford hot-seat is not getting the criticism he merits after claiming the football Jose Mourinho is promoting is 'more boring' than his own vision of the game. Van Gaal was persistently accused by United fans and the media of injecting a brand of negative football into the club during his two years at the helm, with discontent with his playing style one of the primary reasons why he was sacked after winning the 2016 FA Cup final. Now Mourinho is facing similar scrutiny over his football philosophy, after Manchester City outclassed United in Sunday's eagerly anticipated derby game at Old Trafford. That has inspired Van Gaal - who was reported to be furious with his one-time sidekick Mourinho for taking his job at United - to offer up a snipe that you suspect he has been waiting to deliever. "We played football that was quite alright. But it's not football that is appreciated in England," Van Gaal is quoted by the Daily Mirror. "And yet, right now, looking at United, I have to conclude Mourinho is not being criticized while it's far more boring football. "I would rather watch City play than United. You need quality in a squad and it's clear City have a better squad. "What United produce now is defensive football. I always played attacking football. The proof is that the opposition were always parking the bus. "They don't do that now because Jose Mourinho plays so defensive." Van Gaal went on to suggest his final season at United was the best of his long career, as he fended off relentless criticism to finish the season on a high with FA Cup success at Wembley. "If you ask me how did I do at United, I will say it was my best year ever, given the circumstances I was working under," he added. While many United fans were pleased to see the back of Van Gaal, the same concerns they had over the Dutchman are now being aired again around Mourinho.
