DICK ADVOCAAT and Louis van Gaal have been long term friends since appearing together for Sparta Rotterdam in their younger playing days in Holland.

This afternoon they will come up against each other in the Premier League for the first time, with the Sunderland boss claiming his Manchester United counterpart is dealing with similar levels of pressure.

The difference, however, is that Advocaat is challenged with trying to come up with the results to keep Sunderland in the top-flight, while his younger compatriot must come up with a way of returning the title back to Old Trafford.

Another defeat for Sunderland could see Manchester United end the weekend at the top of the table, with Advocaat still overseeing a team propping up the rest. For two men who have chased silverware throughout their careers, this season they are miles apart in short-term aspirations.

Regardless of the outcome when the final whistle is blown, though, there will still be the utmost respect emanating from both men towards one another.

“Louis has his philosophy and it is not about names,” said Advocaat. “Whether it is Falcao, it’s the same as (Sir Alex) Ferguson had there with Berbatov or a £50m player, he will put him on the bench. Louis is the same, like that.

“He is looking at how the team can bring him success. Last year he did it with Falcao, he didn’t play him. That’s the way he works and people are positive about that.

“He is prepared to make difficult decisions. You always get conflict but I don’t think he cares.

“I think this job (at Sunderland) is more difficult! He has to become champion and we have to stay up. The pressure is always there for both. We appreciate each other though, just hope we win on Saturday!”

The omens are good for Advocaat, despite the daunting trip to Old Trafford. He has only lost one of his previous nine managerial duels with van Gaal and won three of those.

Advocaat said: “It’s not many wins for him. It’s not a rivalry though. It’s not about Louis and myself. It is about Sunderland and Manchester United. We are sitting on the bench and we are trying to help the team. I know his family, I know everybody. Sometimes we speak on the phone.”

Back in 1995 the two men were classically pictured for a preview of a game between Advocaat’s PSV Eindhoven and van Gaal’s all-conquering Ajax alongside two nude models with their respective strips painted on.

The Sunderland head coach said: “We were quite surprised when we came in. I can remember it. Don’t put that in the newspaper! I know where you live. They were already painted unfortunately.

“We did so many things, I don’t know why, what reason. That was one of them. We played so many games.”

But Advocaat is full of admiration for van Gaal. The last time the two met professionally was in 2007 when Zenit St Petersburg drew 1-1 with AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup.

“Louis is one of the best coaches of the world, no doubt about that,” said Advocaat. “He has worked at the highest levels in Europe. He is a manager who does not just look for the easy way. He is always looking for the most difficult way. If you see his prize list it is unbelievable. So I rate him very highly.

“He played with me at Sparta for two years, you heard what I am saying … he played with me!

“He was a different player to me. I would get the ball and give it to him, he had the eyes and so did I later, but in the beginning I gave it to him because he was a good player. He was not the quickest. But he is a good guy. If you know him well he is a good guy.”