He praised Depay, who played as a striker in the absence of the ill Wayne Rooney, saying: “In the first half he was superb”.
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Van Gaal’s side have been criticised for their conservative style of play under the Dutchman this season, but their latest defensive display paid dividends at Vicarage Road.
United are now in the midst of an injury crisis, especially in forward positions, with players including Rooney, Martial, Marouane Fellaini all missing on Saturday – forcing Van Gaal to include youth team teenager Marcus Rashford into the squad.
“I think it is, for every human being in this world, a big blow, so I don’t think I have to mention what our discussions were”.
Moreno broke down in tears upon visiting Shaw in hospital to apologise, but Van Gaal is unsure as to how the United fans will react when the 27-year-old visits Old Trafford on Wednesday.
“It is great. All I ever wanted to do was play for Man United and I’m doing that now”. He is at home. Tomorrow (Sunday) he comes and then I can say more. “Anthony Martial’s foot injury is not so heavy”.
“So you never know [with injuries]”.
The win puts United top of the Premier League, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Leicester City having the chance to surpass them when they play later on Saturday.
Mata has been a regular fixture in Van Gaal’s first team this season and will be expecting to feature when they take on PSV mid-week. Memphis finished it very well. We did play very good when the opponent had the ball but we didn’t give away more than three or four chances. “The stuff [I am learning] has stuck with me and Ryan Giggs has given me good advice and I’ve been working on some things with him”.
“We are looking at all players, not just Ronaldo”.
But United recovered instantly and Bastian Schweinsteiger forced Deeney to bundle a clearance home in added on time for United’s victor.
“I said after that result that we are on schedule and I still think I am right about that”. We have a lot of injuries.
It was a much-needed return to the team for Depay, who had only started one of the previous six games for the Red Devils, report the Manchester Evening News.
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“He scored it very well but it’s Deeney – what happened is possible because he’s fighting everywhere on the pitch, so he tried to remove the ball from the line of our goal”.
