New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal’s first day in the city got off to a memorable start when bookmaker William Hill commissioned a stunning mural of his face – made out of 25,000 tulips.
The red, white and purple flowers were shipped from van Gaal’s native Holland and a team of expert florists started work at 6am to ensure the stunning attraction was ready to coincide with his first taste of the job.
The 18ft by 12ft portrait of the 62-year-old’s image stopped people in their tracks at Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens at lunchtime, shortly after he oversaw his first training session at Carrington.
To celebrate his first day in the iconic hotseat, William Hill is also offering a special price of 3/1 for van Gaal to win his first three Premier League games next month – starting with Swansea City at home on August 16, before two games on the road at Sunderland and newly-promoted Burnley.
United’s title odds were slashed from 8/1 to 6/1 following van Gaal’s appointment. After guiding Holland to third place in the World Cup – thanks in no small part to the endeavours of Red Devils striker Robin van Persie – those odds were trimmed further to 5/1.
Rivals and reigning champions Manchester City remain favourites at 7/4.
William Hill spokesman Jem Maidment, said: “Van Gaal is one of the great characters in world football – his arrival merely confirms the Premier League is the place to be, even if England’s national side continue to disappoint us all!
“Van Gaal’s club record is outstanding, he has just had a fantastic World Cup with the Oranje, and his no nonsense-style is sure to further enrich the world’s greatest league.”
The highly-successful veteran has 19 major honours under his belt and is the permanent successor to David Moyes, who was dismissed in April.
Premier League Outright Odds: 7/4 Man City, 15/8 Chelsea, 5/1 Man Utd, 13/2 Arsenal, 9/1 Liverpool, 50/1 Tottenham …
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