They also lacked a playmaker of the quality of Julian Draxler, Wolfsburg’s No. 10 who bestrode this game like a fast-moving colossus.
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And it is understood that the players were left shocked by Van Gaal’s decision to replace Juan Mata with Nick Powell after 69 minutes in Wolfsburg with United trailing 2-1 and desperate for a goal to keep their Champions League challenge alive.
“When it is a tight group it can happen”, Van Gaal said.
United believe the organisation could help by staging some games involving Champions League teams on Friday nights, giving them extra rest before European commitments the following midweek. The last ten minutes we played with ten men, with eleven it was not easy but with ten it was more hard.
Louis van Gaal and Co. are set to compete in the Europa League for the first time since 2011-12 and Pochettino said the Manchester club are in for a culture shock as they prepare for Thursday fixtures.
Van Gaal has consistently placed his trust in youngsters at Old Trafford, and that has been particularly evident with Lingard this season.
“I think we created a lot of chances to win this game tonight”.
Van Gaal has spent over ₤ 250 million ($376 million, 344 million euros) on brand-new gamers since being successful David Moyes past year, however despite steering the club back into the Champions League, he remains a dissentious figure. However within a minute United had conceded a corner which led to Naldo securing his second goal of the night.
Summer signings Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger have yet to have the desired impact, while youngsters Anthony Martial has not scored a league goal since September, although he was on target against Wolfsburg on Tuesday.
Angel Di Maria was the quick, world-class wide player Van Gaal yearned for when taking over in July 2014. It is hard for us and we are disappointed.
“I am happy that we scored, but I am not happy why we defended so poorly and it s something I have to analyse”. It was more hard. We’ve got to rise above that as a team, move on and concentrate on the next game.
United are also likely to earn a sizable share of TV payments from Uefa’s market pool worth £350.5m – even if their Premier League rivals will take home more.
Last week, the Argentina defender dislocated his left shoulder after a bad fall in training.
However, Hartson feels Van Gaal shouldn’t receive a single penny to spend and wants Manchester United to change managers as soon as possible.
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Both Smalling and Darmian are “doubtful” for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth, Van Gaal said in his post-match news conference.
