Van Gaal, who confirmed that striker Rashford “is an option” for his squad to face FC Midtjylland, has been delighted with the way the budding stars have handled the pressure and he spoke of how they have acted as a source of motivation for everyone.
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The Portuguese, who was sacked as manager by Chelsea in December despite winning the English title a year ago, has been heavily tipped by British media to take over from current United head coach Louis van Gaal in June but he was coy when asked by students at Singapore’s North Light secondary school. First, Sisto put Midtjylland ahead after gliding too easily past the labouring Carrick in the box before rolling a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
With so few fit players to call upon, the manager will be forced to stick with the bulk of the team that beat Shrewsbury.
Van Gaal knows United have to win second balls more often than they did last Thursday, in addition to keeping possession better and moving the ball quicker.
It was a strike against the run of play and a setback United responded to with defiance.
Nikolay Bodurov, on loan from Fulham, turned a Memphis Depay cross into his own goal shortly afterwards, but nerves grew as Morgan Schneiderlin hit the woodwork and then Juan Mata saw a penalty saved.
“I do think that Midtjylland had a very good organization, very detailed, and the players want to perform that organization”, Van Gaal added. They have achieved what they have achieved this year and now they play against Man United, which is maybe one of the clubs with bigger history, one of the biggest clubs.
“He is manager of Manchester United so there is always going to be criticism, but at the end of the season let’s see what happens”.
Argentina defender Marcos Rojo could return from a shoulder injury, Van Gaal said Wednesday.
“I was not a great player, as you know, but when I played for full stadiums I was always at my best”, Van Gaal said. “We are very happy to go through, we have to keep the spirit in the team and look forward to Sunday”. United also went out of the Champions League at the group stages in what was a relatively easy group.
“Coming to Old Trafford is the match of their lives”, said van Gaal.
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“It was a really good game and it everyone who saw it would say we deserved to win”.
