Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was delighted for Anthony Martial, as the new signing scored a “marvelous” goal on his debut to help beat Liverpool 3-1. The young striker also managed to notch a goal in the limited opportunity he was offered to impress the manager.
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“I think we have managed that very well”.
“Sometimes it went in and sometimes not – normally I have to take a first touch but I struck it at once, which was good“.
As a result, United have extended their winning run over Liverpool to three matches – all of which under the reign of Van Gaal.
“I have to be totally honest, I didn’t know an bad lot about him, no, like many”.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the first ever United player to score on his league debut after coming on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford in August 1996. In the first half, they played on the counter-attack with ten men behind the ball.
“For years it’s been midfield hasn’t it, people have been saying we haven’t got midfielders, there is always something you can pick on”, added Carrick.
But in the space of one magical moment in the biggest game in English football Martial wrote his name in lights to leave Carrick and his United colleagues in no doubt about who he is.
Looking at the performance some may even say that the scoring problem that was witnessed early on, during this campaign may also have come to an end.
“I am responsible for the team, I am not happy with the situation and I am not happy with myself”, he said. He scored a fantastic goal.
United now sit second in the table behind neighbours City and a bullish Van Gaal said: ‘Our aim is to be the best’.
Mata has said that the victory has given the squad a boost ahead of facing PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League group stages on Tuesday.
Van Gaal brought Memphis Depay off at half time and introduced Ashley Young, who immediately made an impact as he won the free kick which led to Blind’s fine opener.
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“It is a minor injury and I believe that he shall play against Southampton (next weekend)”.
