Manchester United’s FA Cup trip to Shrewsbury on Monday marks the start of a week that looks pivotal for their season – and the future of their increasingly under-scrutiny boss Louis van Gaal.
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Red Devils supporters at the MCH Arena in Herning made their feelings about the team’s performance known at the end, hurling expletive-laden abuse, and midfielder Carrick has apologised to the fans over the showing, for which he felt there could be “no excuses”.
“All the players want to perform in an excellent way. We were not winning the second balls – that is my analysis”.
Shrewsbury’s Ian Black insists Manchester United’s players have failed to justify their huge pay packets. With Wayne Rooney injured, James Wilson out on loan, Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie were sold in the summer leaving only Anthony Martial as our only recognisable striker.
‘My next club? I really don’t know, but one thing is certain: I love football and I’ll return to the touchline with the same passion and ambition as always, ‘ he said to La Stampa.
“Right now I have respect for every coach at every club. So we are in a hard situation”.
“We have to win at Old Trafford and then we are in the next round”.
It is certainly a realistic target – but after Van Gaal’s men were so lacklustre in the sorry reverse at Midtjylland on Thursday, there would also appear to be every chance they could endure further struggles over the coming days. “We have to do it. It’s not easy, but we have to do it”.
‘The message that has come in from his camp is that unless they call him now and agree something, he may go to another club.
Midtjylland – only formed in 1999 and with a home stadium that holds just 11,800 – showed they are no pushovers earlier this season, beating Southampton in the Europa League play-offs.
“Hopefully we can get back to doing that, starting on Monday”.
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“Maybe we were the only ones beforehand who believed we could get through, but I think we have showed everybody we have a chance”.
