Josh King returned to haunt Manchester United on Saturday as his goal earned Bournemouth a memorable 2-1 victory that completed a miserable week for Louis van Gaal’s beleaguered team.
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“Of course I’m concerned because we have lost two matches in a row, and that is not a usual thing, so we have to stick together and prepare for our match against Norwich”.
“The players did everything, but I have to also say Bournemouth are pressing on the ball in a fantastic way and that’s why it makes it more hard to get the equaliser or to create chances”.
The win evoked memories of the club’s famous FA Cup giant-killing of the Red Devils in 1984 under Harry Redknapp, who was in the crowd today.
United crashed out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg, leaving them to play Europa League football after Christmas.
United sit in fourth place on the table level on points with third place Manchester City.
Louis van Gaal’s odds on being the next Premier League manager to leave his position have tumbled dramatically following a nightmare week for Manchester United. “I think the three points were very important, more than the way we played”, he told the BBC.
Van Gaal accepts he faces a challenge to restore confidence in his players ahead of next week’s clash with Norwich City at Old Trafford but has vowed to ensure his side do recover.
Added to that, Savage claims that the manager’s style this season – United have been far more defensive-minded this year – will only accelerate his departure.
Van Gaal will be looking for a better result than United’s drab 0-0 draw at home to West Ham, when they take on Bournemouth tonight.
Bournemouth’s goals both game from set-pieces, which Van Gaal described as “unacceptable”. “I don’t think that’s any benefit for me or the players [dwelling] on something like that, we have to go on and I think that’s more important”. I don’t think it is because of (injuries) that we lost. “It’s the first time I’ve scored from that drill”.
“He showed real strength to keep his emotions in check, and I’ve got to say his team-mates rallied around him really well”.
It’s not just about the amount you spend, though, it is the players you spend it on.
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Asked by the BBC if the calamitous week had represented his worst in English football, Van Gaal conceded: “Yes, I’m not losing matches in a row very much, so it’s very tough”.
