Hail Louis the king

Old Trafford was formally rechristened as the "Court of King Louis" as the new Manchester United manager was introduced to supporters on Tuesday night.

Louis van Gaal took charge of United on home soil for the first time since his summer appointment, leading his side in their final warm-up game against Valencia. United won 2-1, but eyes were on the dugout as much as the pitch.

"I cannot wait to get started," Van Gaal wrote in his programme notes, citing his long-term ambition to work in the Premier League.

"I know how difficult it is for visiting teams at Old Trafford. I am really looking forward to having you [the fans] on the same side as my players."

Van Gaal must have felt this was day one in the honeymoon suite - a most serene, picturesque setting as he pondered how to repair the damage of the first season of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. United supporters, still wounded by the swiftness and extent of the deterioration over the past 12 months, somewhat understandably offered a measured welcome, enthusiastic rather than rapturous applause.

You can forgive those who wish to reserve judgment after their hasty coronation of Moyes as "The Chosen One" on the Stretford End a year ago.

A "Welcome to Vanchester" banner has been erected in the city centre but such slogans were notable only by their absence for Van Gaal's arrival.

In many respects, this felt like the curtain rising before the rehearsals have been fully perfected. This United team, still experimental in terms of personnel and formation, does not yet have the mark of Van Gaal on it.

"The aim is to please our supporters again and keep improving," was Van Gaal's message.

He will need plenty of time to recreate that dynamism on and off the pitch.

The club's promotional material plugged this fixture as Manchester "Reunited", an acknowledgement not only of the first home game of the season but also the need to restore traditional values after last year's disconnection.

Van Gaal has the stride and demeanour of an elder statesman who understands the stature of the job and will embrace it. But he still craves new signings. This is underlined by a £16-million move for Argentina defender Marcos Rojo.

United's injury list emphasised the pressing need for recruits. Robin van Persie missed this friendly because he has still to recover from his World Cup exertion. Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck and new signing Luke Shaw were also absentees.

This was little more than a gentle foreword by the Dutchman.

As Van Gaal put it himself, the "real business" starts on Saturday with the visit of Swansea.