Manchester United failed to break down a stubborn PSV Eindhoven in a 0-0 draw in the Champions League on Wednesday, missing the chance to qualify from Group B with a game to spare.
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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is still confident that his side will beat Wolfsburg in Germany next month to guarantee their place in the last 16 of the competition.
I am anxious [about the lack of goals] but I also know goals are coming and going. It’s not a outcome of good performances and bad performances. “The most important thing will be that he is back on his feet shortly, joining the team and playing for Manchester United, but we don’t know what will happen tomorrow in the game”. “It was not the most hard chances but we didn’t score and the next game you can score out of nothing- that is football”. “And secondly, I thought why he is fed up, maybe it is because of the PSV match and every player has to watch the game from the stadium to support their colleagues”, the United manager explained. At least Van Gaal did not underestimate the difficulty of that task, or hide from the fact this final home game represented the best chance of securing qualification.
“The second half wasn’t great, but first-half we could have been ahead, so overall a draw is probably a fair result”.
“The result is disappointing because I think we could have finished this game several times in the first half and also in the second”, reflected United manager Van Gaal. At times in the first half the fluidity was there as the aforementioned quartet all went close.
That wave of pressure seemingly did not sufficiently impress Van Gaal, who introduced Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young in the 59th minute. “It would have been much easier if we did it tonight”.
Phillip Cocu declared himself “very excited” after PSV significantly boosted their hopes of Champions League progression with a 0-0 draw at Manchester United. We have to do it in Wolfsburg. You’ve got to win your home games’. I think a big help has been the emergence of Jesse Lingard.
“We were prepared for it and the team did well and we got more space in midfield and on the sides”.
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United’s frustration only mounted in the early part of the second period as they struggled against the Eredivisie outfit’s resolute backline. They couldn’t find a solution of beating our defence.
