Club legend John Barnes is one of many leading pundits to have expressed doubts over the Belgian forward’s suitability to lead the line at Anfield, with the former winger saying that Liverpool will need a more “direct” gameplan that they have had under Rodgers.
Advertisement
British media reported last week that the Merseysiders had finally agreed to meet a 32.5 million pounds ($50.75 million)release clause in the striker’s contract, having previously sought and failed to persuade the Midlands club to reduce their asking price.
“I have said to the players it is fantastic to play against Barcelona because then you know a little bit if you are at a certain level, to play, to win the Champions League“, said Van Gaal, who managed Barcelona twice. No, that I have not said. “No, I mean something else”. So that was very important for us.
When asked if he was expecting further arrivals, Van Gaal told MUTV: “I hope so”. There was always a threat and that was not necessary.
Juan Mata and man-of-the-match Memphis Depay scored first half goals for United before Brazilian youngster Andreas Pereira added a third in the second half. As players you don’t think it will but towards the end of the season, from Christmas, I felt we played some great football, understood exactly what the manager wanted from us and particularly in the big games we did really well.
“He was also bad”, he said, according to the Evening Standard.
Everyone can think it is easy to step in, but it’s not.
Lindegaard had been relegated to third choice goalkeeper at Manchester United behind the likes of David De Gea and Victor Valdes last season. “It’s a process. I’m not anxious about that position”. “I have to select which players are going to play 60 minutes, so it is the first selection”.
Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Javier Hernandez are all set to link-up with the United squad tomorrow after enjoying extended breaks following their participation in the Copa America, but none of the trio will feature against Barca.
Advertisement
“He is one of the five or six best midfielders in the world and of course I have to learn a lot from him, Michael Carrick and others”.
