Manchester United players given Christmas Day off as Louis van Gaal breaks club tradition

Louis van Gaal has given his Manchester United stars Christmas Day off - for the first time.

United's stars were always in for training under Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes during his ill-fated spell in charge last season.

But United boss Van Gaal has broken with tradition and given his squad the entire day off to spend with their families ahead of the Boxing Day clash at home to Newcastle.

United's squad will not even stay in a hotel on Christmas Day night, as is the norm, but will convene at Old Trafford before the 3pm clash at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal said: “I have changed that, I have given them free time and Christmas day with the family.

"We shall come together the next day here at our Aon Training Complex. Then we will have all of the meetings like we have done all season.

“I believe in a total human being so the environment is also important. I think they are more pleased to be at home with their wives and children.

"I hope they shall give everything to beat the opponent then.”

Van Gaal was Holland boss this time last year and was able to enjoy Christmas at home. This year is his first experience of managing during the festive period.

“When you are a national team coach then you don’t have to do anything at Christmas because in the Netherlands the players are also free and have holiday,” said van Gaal.

“But here we play football and that is also nice.”

United skipper Wayne Rooney welcomed Van Gaal's generosity and said: “We’re not actually training on Christmas Day this year because we’ll be spending it at home, which will be good for the foreign players and those of us with children."