“If you got to Manchester United, that’s what you get”.
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United can also qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
But their offence needs more pace and better finish, considering they’ve only scored one more goal that Sunderland who are now in the relegation zone at the 18th spot.
United fell to a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland at the weekend and Van Gaal hinted in his post-match comments that it would be very hard for his side to reach the top four come the end of the season. “When I lost my job, he was lauded by everyone in football”, the Scotsman added, which shows how quick things can change in a short period of time if things don’t go as planned.
Anthony Martial equalised in the 39th minute, but Sunderland took the points when Martial’s attempt to clear Lamine Kone’s header off the line struck goalkeeper de Gea’s arm and rolled into the net.
However, Van Gaal, who coached the German veteran during his days in charge of Bayern Munich, was intent on getting his man.
Van Gaal’s position has been the subject of speculation for weeks and reports emerged last week that United have approached former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to replace the 64-year-old Dutchman.
With the top four in action against each other on Sunday, fifth-place United wasted a great chance to trim the gap in the race for Champions League qualification.
“Second balls are very important to win, they won a lot of second balls, so we started very bad the first 20-25 minutes”.
“(The defeat) is of course a big blow. We give five points away, Chelsea and now this game so it is too much at this time. We didn’t deliver and we feel disappointed and we feel sad.
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“We knew in advance that they could score out of set-plays, they have the taller team”. It’s down to us, we’re players and we have to perform.
