Manchester United conceded directly from a second-minute corner on its way to a humbling 2-1 loss at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, capping a humiliating week for England’s biggest club that began with a Champions League group-stage exit.
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As if Van Gaal hadn’t done enough to leave United fans scratching their heads in recent weeks, his substitution of goalscorer Marouane Fellaini with 16 minutes to go – the Belgian was replaced by Nick Powell – left them as speechless as ever. We need to win three games in a week just to still be up there after Christmas.
When asked if he doubted his ability to win trophies with United, Van Gaal said: “No. I don’t have any doubts”.
The pressure has been mounting on Van Gaal after a toothless 0-0 draw against West Ham was followed by a 3-2 loss at Wolfsburg that ended their participation in the Champions League. United sit in fourth place on the table level on points with third place Manchester City.
United will take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this Saturday.
“I thought in the first half we played well, we created chances, scored a goal and I had the feeling that we could win in the second half”, he said.
“It is always the same, even when you win – you have to do the same things but, when you lose, then it is more hard because every player is very disappointed”.
He added that it was important that United must now move on and try to bounce back against Bournemouth in the Premeir League.
King, who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, turned home Matt Ritchie’s corner to earn the hosts another notable scalp after their shock 1-0 victory at champions Chelsea last time out. Of course, I am concerned because this is not usual for United.
“The problem is that we have to meet the expectations and the expectations at a club like Manchester United are very high, and that’s our problem”.
The Sun’s Lipton, speaking on Sunday Supplement, says United’s current squad is lacking in quality, and that Van Gaal’s side are not realistic contenders like Arsenal and Manchester City, despite being just three points off leaders Leicester City.
Romelu Lukaku headed in a cross from Gerard Deulofeu in the 15th minute to put Everton ahead, but the visitors spurned a string of chances and saw Wes Hoolahan scramble home an equaliser early in the second period.
The last thing the Dutchman needed was for his injury-hit team to fall behind at Bournemouth – but that’s what happened inside two minutes from one of the most weird goals of the season.
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That meant both the visiting full-backs — Guillermo Varela and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson — were making their first Premier League starts, while Paddy McNair lined up alongside Blind at the centre of a callow back four. Still, Eddie Howe’s side managed to see out the game and register yet another outstanding result.
