After the defeat to Sunderland, Louis van Gaal admitted that achieving a top-four finish will be incredibly difficult and expressed his disappointment with the situation. As always, the Dutchman shared his thoughts in more detail:
About the match:
"We failed to control the ball properly. For example, against Chelsea, we did it right and that's a big difference because that's how we control the game. We created chances in the second half, could have scored goals, but that's not the problem. I think Manchester United needs to control the ball properly, despite Sunderland pressing us and creating chances. We didn't control the situation in the second half. We lacked control in the first 20 minutes, but we had control for the next 20 minutes and we scored."
Reasons why United lost:
"Two set pieces, two goals. We knew they could score from set pieces. They have a taller team, we have to fight, but the main reason we have to be compared to our opponents is aggressiveness and attitude. I think they played more aggressively, attacked with high balls, so the battle for the ball becomes very important. We didn't hold onto the ball long enough in positional play. I said before that these are the games we should have won, but we didn't."
Is this defeat a step back?
"Yes, of course. I said it was a game we had to win and we didn't. We can only blame ourselves. I put in all possible effort at work. I can't do more and I have to prepare the players for Midtjylland one hundred percent as I always do."
United's hopes for reaching the top four:
"At the moment, it will be very difficult to do so because we lost five points in the last two games against Chelsea and today against Sunderland, and at this moment it's too much. I think winning the Europa League is the best option to qualify for the Champions League, but there are several very strong teams in that tournament."
Disappointment after a good run of games:
"It's a very big disappointment. I can't say it any other way. You prepare for the game all week. There is always a big question mark if you can deal with the opponents' tactics, aggressiveness, or game quality. Then you have to show your ability against all of that. This was very disappointing today. We needed to win this game because of the already significant gap from the fourth place. We want to be there, but now it's going to be very difficult."
Were you disappointed with your players?
"It's not the right question if I was disappointed with my players. They also wanted to achieve the right result, but they didn't do it, and of course you are disappointed, but we work together and aim for the same goal."
About Matteo Darmian's injury:
"It's unbelievable. His shoulder popped out, so he will be out of the lineup for a few weeks. We no longer have full-backs in the team."
manutd.lt
