Ballon d'Or 2014: World Cup winner deserves prize - Van Gaal

A German player should win the 2014 Ballon d'Or after their World Cup success in Brazil, says Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are tipped to be the main contenders, with United's Angel Di Maria also nominated for the world's best player award.  
"You always have to win something and the best thing to win is the World Championship," Van Gaal told MUTV.

"I hope it shall be a German player because they deserve it." 
He added: "In Germany, the level of the matches in the Bundesliga is also very high." 
The 63-year-old, who as Netherlands coach led his side to the World Cup semi-finals, also said he was surprised to have been nominated in the coach of the year category at the Fifa awards, which take place in January 2015.

Van Gaal took over as United manager in the summer, charged with revitalising the Old Trafford club after a disappointing 2013-14 campaign that saw David Moyes sacked after 10 months in charge, but United took just 13 points from their opening 10 games - their worst start to a league campaign since 1986. 
"It's unbelievable when you see the results of Manchester United - it's unbelievable," Van Gaal said.