Manchester goes Dutch

MANCHESTER, U.K. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- William Hill Sportsbook & Racebook yesterday celebrated the arrival of the latest world star to the Premier League - Louis Van Gaal - by commissioning a huge mural of his image made out of thousands of tulips.

A team of expert florists got to work at 6am to produce the stunning attraction, made from a staggering 25,000 red, white and purple flowers shipped in from van Gaal’s native Holland.

To celebrate his first day in the Manchester United hotseat, William Hill also offered a special price of 3/1 for van Gaal to win his first three Premier League games next month – starting with Swansea at home on August 16, before two games on the road at Sunderland and newly promoted Burnley.

The glorious 18ft by 12ft portrait of the Dutchman’s face could be seen at the city’s Cathedral Gardens from lunchtime on Wednesday – just after the 62-year-old was scheduled to take his first training session.

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 – along with United striker Robin van Persie – those odds were trimmed further to 5/1.

Rivals and reigning champions Manchester City remain favorites 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 Dutch manager has 19 major honors under his belt and replaces David Moyes.