Among other topics, the subject of Chelsea came up.
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United dictated large parts of the game, making an assertive start at Stamford Bridge, passing with precision and speed across the field. The frequent meetings reflected the dominance of both clubs.
“But since I arrived at Chelsea I have learnt a lot from him”. “We drove each other on. As a collective group we are doing well”. “There was a special atmosphere in our squad; it’s one of the reasons we were so good”.
But United are still without a win over Chelsea in 10 attempts.
“The influence of a manager is there but the culture of English football is also there”.
United had 17 shots on goal and really should have added to Lingard’s superb opener.
But Chelsea laid siege to the visitors’ goal in the closing stages and gradually wore down the United defence, with Costa scoring the equaliser in the second of six additional minutes. They also had more attempts at goal than Chelsea. Still, as stoppage time began it was 1-0 and United were heading for back-to-back league victories for the first time since November. Van Gaal praised Borthwick-Jackson despite the mistake.
“It was going in, I think”, he said.
On the plus side for Van Gaal, Phil Jones made a significant step on his road to recovery from an ankle injury.
“It was such a pity because Borthwick-Jackson was playing fantastically and I was very proud of him”.
Homegrown players are important but they need to be nurtured, encouraged and given opportunities.
Van Gaal cut a frustrated figure after the game, believing his side threw away a thoroughly deserved the victory as they continued to show promising form.
After Wayne Rooney forced a save from Courtois, Martial ran at Ivanovic and fired just wide.
United topped the table in November but are now six points adrift of the top four with 13 matches left.
At least recent performances have been better.
Juan Mata always enjoyed entertaining as a Chelsea player, and there will be some home supporters who continue to lament the decision by Jose Mourinho to sell such an offensive player.
“[On Monday] we will know more”, Hiddink said after the game. But it is better than previous year. Will Depay be any good?
Spain full-back Cesar Azpilicueta told the Evening Standard: “Gary is one of the veterans of the team”.
United have failed this season. Teixeira, aged only 26, has been impressive in several UEFA Champions League campaigns and is the type of target that Manchester United or their immediate rivals should have been after.
The uncertainty comes as the clubs prepare for talks with UEFA about changing the Champions League and Europa League entry rules and competition formats for the 2018-2021 seasons.
Van Gaal paid tribute to the travelling support.
The 43-year-old is enjoying a glowing career in the capital as he builds a side worthy of winning the Premier League on the foundation of youthful English talent. He’ll not be taking out a mortgage on a Cheshire property any time soon, but he does still has time to salvage some credit.
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Over the last decade, Manchester United have increasingly shown themselves to be more motivated by profit than with the quality of what the team is producing on the field.
