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Troubled Van Gaal back in spotlight as United face Hammers

Moreover, Van Gaal has not lost a game to Liverpool since taking over the job at Manchester United in 2014.

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The Red Devils suffered a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool in their first-ever meeting in Europe after goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino.

“I didn’t celebrate the goal?”, said a puzzled Klopp.

“We have to go there looking to win the game on the night”.

The latest reports now indicate that UEFA is waiting on a report from the Europa League match which they will use to decide whether or not to take any disciplinary action.

With flak being hurled at the United boss from all corners after their abject display at Anfield, Fellaini has surprisingly come to the Dutchman’s aid before today’s must-win FA Cup showdown with West Ham. “They are better than that team out there today, that’s the problem”, he said.

With us out of the FA cup in this weekend’s fixtures, we get to rest key players and keep the moral high between the team and players.

Elimination from those two competitions and a defeat in the Manchester derby next Sunday would leave United with little to play for heading into the final two months of the season.

Ahead of the match, van Gaal is optimistic about the situation at Old Trafford, he said: “There is of course much pressure on us now, but it is also possible (that we win) against West Ham”.

The former Dortmund coach sat on the bench for nearly the entire first half. It’s fair to say that most United fans believe he deserves a ban of approximately 2,000 games.

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling admits Liverpool are now in the boxseat to progress in their Europa League tie.

“We can play better”.

The strike cancelled out Dimitri Payet’s stunning free-kick at Old Trafford and secured a 1-1 draw, meaning a replay in east London will now decide who progresses to Wembley.

“Is it important what Rio Ferdinand is saying, is that important to you?”.

“We are absolutely focused on having two successful games, although the task is not easy and we are aware of that”.

“When you analyse what we have done this season and the other season I can not change your [the critics’] mind”.

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“But a lot of things were really good, the pressing, counter-pressing”.

Louis van Gaal Jose Mourinho and Ryan Giggs