Louis van Gaal stood his ground on Sunday amid growing speculation his time as Manchester United manager will be ended early. When that was pointed out to Van Gaal in a soft post-match question, the manager wrongly interpreted it as a further contrast between the current struggles and the glory-filled period under Ferguson.
Advertisement
Chelsea’s defence was slow to settle after Gary Cahill’s introduction and Lingard capitalised superbly to put United ahead, controlling Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s low cross from the left and firing into Courtois’ top-left corner on the turn. I don’t interfere neither (sic).
“Why do the club have to deny when you’re inventing stories?”
“You haven’t spoken with (executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward or (owners) the Glazers, and you are inventing a story”. Then we did not keep the ball in the way we have to.
“I don’t have to answer this question”.
Mata continued to say “I have to say that I’m deeply grateful for the reception from the Chelsea fans and their applause when I was substituted” which was great to see that the fans didn’t forget the great service that Mata gave to Chelsea during his time there. Maybe you remember the [difficult] first years of Fergie.
In the second half, United improved and started quickly.
“It was going in, I think”, he said.
United went back on the attack just before the break as Marouane Fellaini headed wide and Matteo Darmian’s cross eluded everyone in a red shirt, but the best chance of the half fell to the hosts and Terry. It’s a pity what happened in the last minute. So we have to do that better.
His disastrous header back to David De Gea led to Stoke’s first goal on Boxing Day and he also failed to track his opponent in the build-up to Newcastle’s added time equaliser in the 3-3 draw at St James’ Park last month.
After the game Hiddink told Sky Sports: “I am happy with the reaction of the team”.
Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw at Watford was Chelsea’s fifth in their last seven league games and the club have now drawn three straight matches at home.
Advertisement
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes his side deserved a point after grabbing a late equaliser against Manchester United. Then, we were unlucky and we get a goal against us. We have too many draws to get to fourth place. “It is hard. I have not calculated exactly, mathematically – it might just be possible but we have to start winning again”.
