“I always thought I had to give a loyalty to my players when I went to Manchester”, the former United manager said.
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“So I only said my opinion about what happened during the game – he deserved, for that, to be sent off”. United’s play has been rather dour, to say the least, and when it came to Europe it simply wasn’t enough.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand labelled the drop into the Europa League as “embarrassing”, but Van Gaal insists it is a competition United will be looking to win. “For me, it is a big competition”. With the goals they conceded last night from set pieces – forget about tactics or systems, it’s just about doing your job.
He did ominously conclude by saying that “there is an growing sense of worry perhaps that van Gaal may not be the right man”.
United will now have to take part in the Europa League, an outcome that has led to a majority of the fans calling for Van Gaal to be sacked before his contract expires.
“We know as Manchester United the expectation from us is high”.
“We knew we had three minutes to change the game, we threw caution to the wind and that was the way we played football with our backs against the wall”, Schmeichel said. The four third-placed teams who finished with the most points will join the 12 group winners from the Europa League group phase one one side of the draw. “It’s odd again but we don’t have any luck, I think”.
He replied: “Just? You think it’s just?”
“I try to (lift their spirits) but of course, the players have to do that also by themselves, they are also the professionals”, Van Gaal told MUTV. I have already won the Europa League [UEFA Cup], with Ajax in my first season, and I was very proud of that.
Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia are sidelined after recent surgeries on shoulder and foot problems respectively, while Wayne Rooney, Phil Jones, Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw remain out.
United return to domestic action this weekend with a trip to AFC Bournemouth, who snatched a 1-0 win over reigning champions Chelsea last time out.
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“There are a lot of experienced players in the team, (Bastian) Schweinsteiger, Carrick, the goalkeeper (David de Gea), experienced global players, it’s up to them to help the younger players”.
