But he will be all too aware that it could be his last if Manchester United fail to get the result they need.
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Man United have been criticised at various points over the course of the campaign following a slow, calculated way of playing.
“We understand there is a transitional period and we accept that. We also needed a little bit of luck but if you say that as a manager it is not good”. The type of football is just not acceptable.
Manchester United head into the second leg on the back of a 1-1 weekend draw at home against West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals. In attack, a player like Anthony Martial will be tasked with providing the spark, as Van Persie did, to help United rescue the tie. But Van Gaal insists the lead is not insurmountable and hopes to repay United’s fans for a season of frustration at Old Trafford on Thursday as the Dutchman prepares for his 150th game as a manager in European competition.
Jurgen Klopp: “I am not scared or something like this”. “I have spoken only with the players about the victory and we have to believe in it. We have to deliver”.
Unlike Van Gaal, who chose not to train at Anfield or take his team across to Merseyside the night before the first leg, Klopp has treated the return game as if it were a normal European tie.
In the round of 32, United put five goals past FC Midtjylland and turned over a 2-1 deficit from the first leg. They’ll need a similar comeback tonight but Liverpool have found form, winning three games on the trot. It is really hard work and I have no problem with this. I think we have a good example of how we have to play.
“The last few weeks we’ve been building momentum and building confidence”, the midfielder said.
“I can not say if Fellaini plays tomorrow because then I give away part of my lineup and I don’t want to do that”, the United boss said. The way we conceded that goal, in the last seconds of the first half… you could have built up the second half so beautifully but at half-time they were also disappointed.
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“The world doesn’t change overnight but it is absolutely clear there is a chance for Manchester United, 100%, but we know that we know how to play them”.
