Louis van Gaal hailed Manchester United’s “unbelievable” spirit after they beat Everton 2-1 to reach the FA Cup final – before admitting his continued uncertainty about his chances of still being with the club next season.
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United subjected Everton to sustained first-half pressure and took a 34th-minute lead when Martial sped to the left-hand byline and squared for Marouane Fellaini to score against his old club.
He said: “It adds another attacking player and a goalscorer because Wayne Rooney’s a goalscorer and the more goalscorers we can get on the pitch the better it is for the team”. “In the end it was going up and down and was very high tempo in the match and when there is only three minutes of injury-time then you think you are going to extra-time”.
But much like the rest of the questions he answered bluntly, saying: “It is not for me to judge – it is for the board of Manchester United”.
The often under-fire manager stated that he “can improve further” and there there were “things in his game that he can work on”. The former Wigan boss took over at Everton in summer 2013 from Moyes, who joined United following a decade in the Goodison Park hot seat.Martinez’s men lacked a cutting edge up front, whereas United buried their chances when it mattered most with lethality they have hitherto lacked this season.
“I’m not looking at anything other than this competition”, said the Dutchman. I cannot say that when we lose 3-0. You’re always learning and especially in the last few games learning about a new position and playing deeper than I’ve played.
“You can also be positive about this semi-final win if you like”.
“You cannot deny my team has a lot of fighting spirit”, Van Gaal said.
“I have a very strong drive and will give everything I have to fulfil those expectations”.
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“I think the fans deserve it – they’ve got to come to Wembley for a cup final, and we have to give them a good performance”.
