But with United now level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City and preparing for FA Cup and Europa League ties against West Ham and Liverpool respectively, Van Gaal admitted that his injury-hit squad must somehow cope with the demanding workload ahead.
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“I think the youngsters give us a lot of spirit”, said Van Gaal.
“I tell my players they first have to believe in it”.
“And when you see the Watford players against ours, it is not in our favour”.
The 18-year-old striker is set for his third start in a row at home to Watford on Wednesday, with Van Gaal warning him of the huge expectations now resting on his young shoulders.
There is good news for United on the injury front as Van Gaal confirmed Bastian Schweinsteiger, Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones are nearing first-team returns, while Ashley Young is expected back later this month.
“But Timothy has saved us three times I think because of his speed and I was very pleased he was on the pitch”.
Juan Mata says he was grateful for the opportunity to captain Manchester United and happy to score the winning goal against Watford.
“You have seen how I did it with Marcos Rojo – 20 minutes and then [the plan was for] 60 minutes, though he did not reach that”.
“I was substituting Herrera and my second choice was Mata”.
He might have come in for the Watford match but we played another system and Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard played very well.
“I think he’s a better full-back than a central defender”.
“That is why I have apologised but I don’t feel sorry for it because it is me”.
“It is still our aim to finish in the top four”, said Van Gaal.
While he’s now become a bit of a house hold name, less than a week ago we’re not sure if many Man United fans had ever heard of him let alone see him play.
“But is means we have a full programme and we could play 60 matches”. Swansea’s Paloschi scored his first Premier League goal.
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The Hornets are now 12th in the table and still harbour outside hopes of European football – victory at the Theatre of Dreams would move them to within four points of their opponents. “He wanted to go off but I wanted him to stay on”.
