United face trips to Newcastle and then to Liverpool and it remains to be seen if these matches prove defining moments for van Gaal as manager of Manchester United.
Advertisement
Thousands of fans streamed out of the stadium on Saturday evening before the end of the third round tie, which the hosts won thanks to a penalty three minutes into stoppage time from Wayne Rooney.
Numerous home supporters showed their frustration at the performance, as well as giving ironic cheers at belated efforts at goal and van Gaal’s final substitution of Marouane Fellaini with Andreas Pereira. ‘There are many reasons to leave the stadium in the last minute. “You never know the reason”, he said.
“The most important thing is the result, but we have to improve”.
Manchester United are fifth in the Premier League but have scored just 12 goals in 10 home matches.
United did not register a shot on target until the 69 minute in front of a frustrated Old Trafford crowd in their third round clash against League One opposition. I said in advance to the boys, “The only thing that counts is we are in the second (fourth) round”, and we did it.
United have already recorded six 0-0 draws at Old Trafford this season, which would have been unthinkable in Scholes’s day, and the former England midfielder sounded exasperated as he dissected their latest display.
The Dutchman is under huge pressure to add to his squad this month after a number of poor performances saw United dumped out of the Champions League and drop out of the Premier League top four.
“I am most comfortable on the right side”. I hope they don’t win against us.
“I can imagine the manager of Sheffield United chose these tactics but maybe you can also see that they didn’t have any chances. You can mention how they were leaving early but you can also mention how they came in the first place to watch this match”.
But Van Gaal insists he and the side are getting the backing.
Louis van GAal said he was only left out because his fitness was “in the red zone”, so he’ll surely start against Newcastle after missing the Sheffield United game? “It was a shame we didn’t see it out and get a replay at Bramall Lane, but we have to move on and think about Tuesday’s game at Wigan”.
Advertisement
Van Gaal was unimpressed with Mata’s work-rate and inability to hug the touch-line when United needed width.
