ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE (EPL) Man United break defence and Van Gaal happy ‘next manager shall not so easily choose this strategy’
Louis van Gaal claims Manchester United will not
be shackled at Old Trafford after they kept their
patience to grind out a 2-0 win over West
Bromwich Albion.
Van Gaal’s side have found goals hard to come
by of late and they initially found it difficult to
break down a West Brom team that defended in
numbers.
But the visitors’ plan was shattered seven
minutes into the second half on Saturday when
Jesse Lingard scored his first United goal to
break the deadlock.
Juan Mata wrapped up the points for United with
a stoppage-time penalty after defender Gareth
McAuley had been sent off for bringing down
Anthony Martial.
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And van Gaal insisted United’s victory, which
followed a 1-0 midweek success against CSKA
Moscow in the Champions League, may change
how opposition managers view trips to Old
Trafford.
“We have to attack better against these
defensive organisations but it is the most
difficult way you can play as a team,” Van Gaal
said.
“But it is good we have won because the next
manager shall not choose so easily this strategy.
“We have also won against CSKA Moscow and
they have the same strategy. It is good we send
a signal that you can do that but you lose.
“We have won a very difficult game. Last year
we lost against this opponent and probably
because of that Tony Pulis chooses this strategy
again. Now we have won and so we are
improving.”
United have still scored just once from open play
in their last four domestic fixtures and there
remains a question mark about their attacking
intent, a short-coming recently criticised by
former United midfielder Paul Scholes.
And Van Gaal concedes United’s attacking play
must be fine-tuned if they are to overhaul
Manchester City and Arsenal, who are both a
point ahead of the Old Trafford outfit before they
both play on Sunday.
There were signs of frustration amongst the
home supporters before Lingard broke the
deadlock against West Brom, who missed a great
chance to make it 1-1 in the 74th minute when
substitute Saido Berahino headed wide from
close-range.
But Van Gaal, who had asked the supporters to
direct any anger at him, had no complaints.
“I am always pleased with the crowd. I was also
pleased with how they reacted against CSKA
Moscow because you have to accept fans have
their own opinion,” he said.
“But I think they were very influenced by Paul
Scholes and all the criticism and what the media
has written about that. But then you to have
analyse the game.
“When you are yelling ‘attack, attack, attack’ and
you attack for 85 minutes, you have to think as a
fan; ‘is it alright to yell?’
“They know they have to score. My mother
knows that and my grandmother knows that.”
Lingard’s first goal for the club was perfectly
timed on his first start in the Premier League
since Van Gaal’s first game in charge in August
2014.
A knee injury sustained in that game set back
the 22-year-old midfielder, who was then loaned
out to Derby County at the end of last season.
West Brom’s defeat was only their second away
from home this season as manager Tony Pulis
was left to rue the missed chance for Berahino.
“If you need a chance – a gilt-edged chance –
to drop to anyone it would be Saido but he
missed the chance that would have got us
something out of the game,” said Pulis.
“I am really disappointed for the players. They
worked really hard and kept their discipline,
shape and togetherness really well.
“But when you play against top, top players and
you give them a chance they will punish you.
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