United have scored just seven goals in their last 10 games in all competitions after a goalless draw against a battling West Ham side, who themselves could have won at Old Trafford.
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Louis van Gaal, the Manchester United manager, has thrown a -protective arm around the misfiring striker Anthony Martial ahead of his side’s Champions League -decider against Wolfsburg, in an effort to ease the pressure threatening to crush the young Frenchman.
Manchester United go into one of the more important matches of Louis van Gaal’s 18-month reign with the club’s former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, admitting he is anxious about Jurgen Klopp’s restorative powers at Liverpool and Bastian Schweinsteiger reeling from the news that the Football Association have charged him with violent conduct.
In this moment, I believe this is the most important match but only at this moment. “The players want to show their qualities against the highest opponents. We played very well especially in the second half – but you have to finish”.
“I hope they can play on Tuesday but it is a very short [turnaround] so it is a very big question mark”. Van Gaal has defended his record and is confident that he will start scoring once he properly adapts to the pressures of playing for United in the Premier League.
“You can not expect a player of 20 years old to score in the Premier League every week”. Saturday was the Red Devils sixth goalless draw of the season and a section of supporters chanted “attack, attack, attack” during the match and jeered the Dutchman as he walked off the pitch at full time.
On the other hand, Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking has fired warning to the travelling team that the hosts will not be content with just a single point, which is enough to see them through to the knockout stages of the tournament.
“I think he is very talented”. So if Manchester United continue to spend the money they have done recently, can it have a negative impact?
“But now we have to come as much as possible and maybe we can beat everyone, that I am sure”.
Memphis Depay was only on the pitch for the final 17 minutes against West Ham on Saturday but he was still one of United’s best players. “We are in a good position in the league, but it could have been boosted today”.
“If I don’t find a club with a good project, I can wait”.
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“Finishing top of the standings could give us a favourable draw in the first knockout round and for that reason we have to come back with a positive result on Tuesday night”, said defender Leonardo Bonucci. Schweinsteiger has until Thursday to appeal or he will miss games against Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke.
