The former midfielder believes the 62-year-old has “a bit of genius about him” and insists the Dutchman will significantly improve his new club’s displays after a “shocking season”

Paul Scholes believes Louis van Gaal’s “Midas touch” will help Manchester United’s recovery from a dreadful 2013-14 Premier League campaign.

The 62-year-old was named as David Moyes’ successor in May and will take charge at Old Trafford following Netherlands’ participation in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Dutch face Argentina on Wednesday evening for a spot in the final and the former midfielder insists Van Gaal will need to be at his best after United’s “shocking season”.

“Right now, Manchester United fans (and myself) cannot wait for Louis van Gaal to get the job started at Old Trafford,” Scholes wrote in an exclusive blog for Paddy Power.

“It’s not a vintage Holland team he’s managing and Van Gaal has got them to the brink of a World Cup Final. He’s going to have to perform a similar operation at United after a shocking season in 2013-2014.

“Van Gaal seems to have the Midas touch, and with his coaching reputation and vast experience he can bring a lot to the club. He’ll improve last year’s performance by 20 to 25 per cent, I feel.

“As well as the new signings, Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, (and hopefully more to come) he’ll bring more out of the players who are already there. I’m actually really excited about next season.”

Scholes also believes that Van Gaal’s key substitutions at crucial times during Netherlands’ World Cup run shows that he has “a bit of genius about him”.

“Van Gaal is not afraid of big decisions, which he showed by bringing on the Newcastle keeper Tim Krul for the Dutch No1 Jasper Cillessen for the penalty shootout against Costa Rica,” he added.

“Krul had only saved two out of last 20 penalties with Newcastle. The evidence did not seem to be there for that big a decision. But whatever Louis van Gaal does, seems to work.

“He substituted his captain, Robin van Persie, when Holland were 1-0 down to Mexico, and they came back to win. He seems to hav, and hopefully can work this magic on United next year.”