Louis van Gaal says Manchester United showed “unbelievable” spirit in their dramatic FA Cup semi-final victory over Everton – but remained coy on his future at Old Trafford.
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Anthony Martial struck in stoppage time to send Manchester United into the FA Cup final with a 2-1 win over Everton at Wembley, capping a miserable week for the Merseyside club.
34′ – GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Everton: It’s ex-Evertonian Marouane Fellaini who puts United ahead, tapping home Martial’s excellent run and cross.
“I still see a lot of things I think he can improve and he will improve because only my training and playing you can improve”, the Dutchman said.
“Every season we are developing and reaching certain signs where I feel we can please our fans and bring the silverware they deserve”.
“In the second half, I thought we built up incredible tempo and intensity to impose ourselves on the game but at the end the whole story becomes very heartbreaking”.
Rooney had a go at goal from range himself soon after, as did Marcus Rashford from a central position, but both men were kept out by Robles as the entertaining opening quarter of the match made way for a more conservative contest heading towards the break. “We were a little sluggish in the first half, we got the equaliser but to concede in injury time is a blow nobody deserved”.
Everton passed up another glorious opportunity to equalize on 66 minutes when Tim Fosu-Mensah was harshly adjudged to have fouled Ross Barkley in the United box.
Fellaini was none too subtle about the goal celebration, making sure the Everton fans could see the name on his red shirt.
Roberto Martinez moved Muhamed Besic to right-back to cope with the absence of the injured Seamus Coleman, but the converted defender endured a torrid first half against Martial. Then you have experience and can decide much better in the same situations as before.
“My ambition is the same as the club’s ambition”.
Everton won a penalty kick midway through the second half, and Romelu Lukaku took it hoping to equalize.
In a nervy, chaotic game, it was fitting that Martial – United’s best player on the day and this season in general – stepped up to score the match victor.
Michael Carrick also paid tribute to De Gea following his heroics against the Toffees and praised the keeper’s incredible consistency in recent seasons.
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“This season we felt hard done in the semi-final of the League Cup”.
