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Louis van Gaal 'can improve Utd 25%'

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes incoming manager Louis van Gaal can improve the Red Devils by "20 to 25 percent."

- Brewin: Comparing Van Gaal with David Moyes

Van Gaal, who leads his Netherlands side into a semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday, takes up the reins at Old Trafford after the World Cup.

And Scholes wrote on his Paddy Power blog: "Right now, Manchester United fans (and myself) cannot wait for Louis van Gaal to get the job started at Old Trafford.

"It's not a vintage Holland team he's managing, and Van Gaal has got them to the brink of a World Cup final.

"He's going to have to perform a similar operation at United after a shocking season in 2013-2014 [when the club, champions the previous season, finished seventh under David Moyes].

"Van Gaal seems to have the Midas touch, and with his coaching reputation and vast experience he can bring a lot to the club. He'll improve last year's performance by 20-25 percent, I feel.

Scholes said the arrival of new signings Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, plus the fact the Van Gaal would "bring more out of the players who are already there" had him excited about the forthcoming Premier League season.

Van Gaal made headlines when he replaced goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul deep into injury time with Netherlands' quarterfinal against Costa Rica locked at 0-0.

Krul rewarded him by producing two saves in the penalty shootout to send the Dutch into the last four, and Scholes said: "Krul had only saved two out of last 20 penalties with Newcastle. The evidence did not seem to be there for that big a decision.

"But whatever Louis van Gaal does seems to work. He substituted his captain, Robin van Persie, when Holland were 1-0 down to Mexico, and they came back to win.

"He seems to have a bit of genius about him, and hopefully can work this magic on United next year."