Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes Red Devils manager-in-waiting Louis van Gaal and hitman Robin van Persie will not taste World Cup glory in Brazil.
Boss van Gaal is hoping his star striker shakes off fitness doubts to lead the line for Holland in tonight’s eagerly-anticipated semi-final showdown with Argentina.
A place in Sunday’s showpiece final against Germany is the reward for the winners but ex-Denmark international Schmeichel feels the Dutch will fall short at the weekend even if they overcome Lionel Messi and co.
The 50-year-old, who was part of United’s famous treble-winning team in 1999, thinks the Germans’ stunning 7-1 triumph over hosts Brazil makes them firm favourites to win what has been a thrilling competition.
He said on Twitter: “Tonight Argentina will battle the Netherlands. Even a combined team of stars from the two would struggle against Germany, the way they played yesterday.”
Schmeichel, who retired in 2003 and is now a football pundit, thinks Brazil dwelled on the loss of talisman Neymar to injury and paid a heavy price last night.
He added: “I will still argue the point, that Brazil got caught up in the whole ‘Neymar is out’ thing, that they lost their focus on the game.”