„Manchester United“ defender Chris Smalling denied reports that players no longer trust head coach Louis van Gaal and claims that all team members are fighting not only for L. van Gaal, but also for their own futures.
The situation in Manchester has been closely examined in recent weeks after the team failed to win eight consecutive matches, despite a recent improvement in performance during the last games.
This season, L. van Gaal has seen his team play to seven goalless draws and currently sits five points behind fourth place in the league table, but the Dutchman has no plans to leave "Man Utd" by his own choice.
The head coach revealed that he has already begun discussions about January transfer window targets with executive director of "Man Utd" Edu Woodward, and Ch. Smalling understands that this could affect both him and his teammates.
„It is foolish to say that we are not playing for the coach,“ said the defender. „If we are fighting for our own futures, it doesn't mean that no one is playing for the coach. Every week, we want to go out on the field and show what a good team we are.“
„No matter whether the situation at the club is good or bad, he always remains at the center of attention and we roll up our sleeves and work hard in training and make sure that we are ready for the next match, especially after losing to the 'Stoke' team, so against 'Chelsea' we stood up and showed that we are a better team, even though we didn't win those matches.“
L. van Gaal himself was visibly disappointed with the result before the 'Stoke' match, as revealed by the broadcast directors capturing his disappointed facial expression, but Ch. Smalling insists that there have been no changes in the coach's behavior in the past few days, which were full of problems.
„He has been himself from the first day I met him until now,“ said the defender. „He is not prone to change and that's why he has been a successful coach for many years. I can't even imagine him being different, as he holds the record for Champions League victories.“
The player himself acknowledges that victory is needed for him and his teammates like air and hopes that Monday's performance will encourage and inspire them even more in the fight against the 'Swansea' team.
„We must win, because we want to stay in the title race and when you dominate in matches like against 'Chelsea', you must win them.“
„Now I hope that the last few matches will give us energy and confidence and next week we will play well and win.“
manutd.lt
