The recurring word on the British newspapers’ sports pages was “humiliated”, with the Daily Telegraph describing United as “a very limited side” who had failed to navigate “a very mediocre group”.
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“I think it is a insane match”.
There was no urgency, threat or quality.
After slumping to a 3-2 defeat to Wolsburg, Manchester United were sent packing to the Europa League. They’ve dropped points at home and they can’t think themselves unlucky. “This squad needs a real hard look at itself”.
Manchester United were not strong enough to progress in the Champions League, according to Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs.
However, Hartson feels Van Gaal shouldn’t receive a single penny to spend and wants Manchester United to change managers as soon as possible.
Although former striker Michael Owen warned: “They probably will (spend millions more in the transfer window) but whether they can rely on Louis van Gaal spending them wisely is the big question”, he told BT Sport.
The United whom Ferguson embodied, the fighting, attacking, winning club, are no more. United are now in fourth place in the top flight table.
“I took him off and I don’t take players off for nothing, but we are all human beings and so is Bastian Schweinsteiger”, said Van Gaal.
Marouane Fellaini on a number of occasions this season has been Van Gaal’s plan B, and Ferdinand just can’t quite understand why that is as he feels a club like United should have better players if they are going to go for a Plan B.
Van Gaal has spent over ₤ 250 million ($376 million, 344 million euros) on brand-new gamers since being successful David Moyes a year ago, however despite steering the club back into the Champions League, he remains a dissentious figure.
Before the Wolfsburg game, five of United’s previous outings had finished 0-0.
“When you see the circumstances in what we have to play the match with a lot of injuries and also the last 15-20 minutes we had to play with 10 players (because Chris Smalling was struggling with an injury) you have to analyse that also”.
United did not hire Van Gaal to invest £350 million for Europa League football, but to show teeth at major competitions like the Champions League.
“It s a special moment for us”, said Naldo, who picked up a yellow card and is suspended for the first-leg of the last 16 clash.
The Wolfsburg game was van Gaal’s biggest test so far as United manager and he didn’t succeed.
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Josuha Guilavogui’s own goal gave United hope with eight minutes remaining but Naldo’s second set-piece goal of the night two minutes later sealed the Reds’ fate.
