“I think the performance was very good”, said Van Gaal.
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Earlier, Middlesborough booted them out of the League Cup, and there was further embarrassment when Van Gaal’s side failed to reach the knockout phases of the UEFA Champions League despite playing in an easy group.
There’s one thing I do agree with Louis on though – we are certainly not out of the top four race and a win over Arsenal will reinvigorate that on Sunday.
United had more encouraging fitness news as Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Adnan Januzaj all returned to first-team training on Thursday, but Rojo is the only one with a chance of featuring against Midtjylland.
“They’ve obviously got a lot of injuries and we’re at a stage where they’ve just got to win this to keep their reputation in tact after the humiliation of last week”.
Van Gaal admitted United learned the tactics from their Europa League opponents FC Midtylland after their defeat on Thursday.
Manchester United’s last match saw them ease to a 3-0 win away at Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.
“So I think we have done it fantastically, I have congratulated my players, I was very pleased but now we have to beat Midtjylland because it is also possible to beat them”.
“No-one better than us as players knows how we felt in the game and whether we’ve done good or bad”.
“In my opinion it is a big game because it is a chance to qualify for the Champions League next year”.
“I don’t what to say and, if (you) translate the word horny, I don’t know what he means related to the game”.
“I changed (Juan) Mata and (Anthony) Martial to give them rest and we picked up more injuries, so it is unbelievable it is the programme (of fixtures) I think”.
“We’ll be disappointed when we have seen the opportunities back that we haven’t scored”.
With so few players to call upon, the manager Van Gaal will be forced to stick with the bulk of the team which beat Shrewsbury.
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When asked whether De Gea would return for the second leg, Van Gaal said: “I was hoping for that, but he shall not be involved, that is certain”.
