Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is keen to avoid controversy going into tonight's game with Louis van Gaal's Manchester United.
Koeman and Van Gaal have been at each other's throats since a spectacular fall-out when the Dutchmen were manager and sporting director at Ajax in 2004. But this is the season of goodwill and Koeman appears ready to end the decade-long conflict.
"He's a great coach," said Koeman of his one-time mentor. "He needs time and he will get it at United.
"The manager has a lot of experience and they have the money to buy the best players so of course they will be challengers."
When pressed on their relationship, Koeman did admit: "I don't say it is good; it's correct and that's the best word. What happened before was a working problem and I have to explain it like that.
"It's not an issue because it is eight or nine years ago."
