by Michelle Jones

Everything Louis van Gaal has touched at the World Cup has turned to gold.

The Netherlands manager sent the current holders of the tournament packing after the first game, masterminding a 5-1 victory over Spain.

As his side were staring at defeat in the round of 16 against Mexico, he subbed off captain Robin van Persie and brought on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who scored the winning penalty in the 93rd minute to send them through to the quarter-finals.

And on Saturday he used his final substitute of the game to bring on Tim Krul, who went on to save two penalties in the shootout to send them through to the semi-finals where they will meet Argentina tonight.

It remains to be seen whether he has any more tricks up his sleeve to get his side into Sunday’s final but it wouldn’t be surprising if he did.

The new Manchester United manager has come into criticism back in Holland over his formation and tactics this summer.

Van Gaal has stepped away from the Dutch’s classic 4-3-3 system and the team are playing a more direct style of play compared to their usual “total football.”

But the way he has them playing has worked so far and they are 90 minutes away from reaching successive World Cup finals.

Even without the instrumental Kevin Strootman, the 62-year-old has managed to build a whole new system in a short space of time while the manager in the dugout opposite him tonight, Alejandro Sabella, is still yet to work out his best 11 let alone formation.

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, who has been a vital cog in Van Gaal’s plans, has hailed his manager.

Robben said: “We have a superb trainer, a coach who works magic like this all the time.”

And striker Dirk Kuyt, who has been converted into a wing-back for the national side, spoke about how the manager leaves nothing to chance.

“He prepares for everything. The coach speaks with everyone, discusses the systems, so we all know we will be ready when something happens,” he said.

“This is the power of the manager. It is not easy to create a team like this, but if you want to do something, you have to go in the same direction and he is the perfect manager to make that happen.”

Stopping Lionel Messi tonight will be difficult but if you were to pick any manager to stop the Argentian wizard then Van Gaal would be at the top of that list.

And should they go on to lift the trophy on Sunday, the Dutch manager will cement his place in the countries history as their greatest manager.