Van Gaal admits Manchester United were poor against Saints

Manchester United lose their first game in 2016 with a poor display

After a positive start to 2016, Manchester United returned to their ways with a lacklustre performance against Southampton which Louis van Gaal described as ‘poor’.

The 1-0 win for the Saints was United’s first loss of the year and it left the fans in a glum mood with a chorus of boos ringing around Old Trafford at full time.

It was a horrible display from United and they failed to create any clear cut chances throughout the whole 90 minutes. Wayne Rooney was kept quiet while Anthony Martial was doubled up on at nearly every opportunity. Jesse Lingard yet again had another shocker and its now perhaps time to drop the youngster.

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However, the result would have had an impact on all at the club and calls for Van Gaal to be sacked have now resurfaced.

And the Dutchman can’t have any complaints after watching his sides poor display. Striker Charlie Austin headed home the winner late on and that was the icing on the cake as the Red Devils struggled to get into the Saints box in a performance the boss was unhappy about.

"“I think it was a poor performance – two teams who are not creating any chances and the lucky one has won,” said Van Gaal, as reported by manutd.com.“I had the fear already in advance with every change I did as we became weaker in the defence because [Marouane] Fellaini is a tall guy, [Matteo] Darmian is also a defender and he was out. I had the fear but we don’t have to make that kind of foul, I think, and I changed [Cameron] Borthwick-Jackson for more of an attacker because I want to win this kind of even game, even when you are playing poorly. Adnan [Januzaj] could have scored also the equaliser in the last minute. It is not like that. We have lost and I cannot change that.”"

The loss now means United are now five points adrift of Spurs with the London side having a superior goal difference. And with 15 games left the race for Champions League football is now hotting up.

But with a win against derby rivals Liverpool last week it was a surprise that United were so poor at home in front of their fans. Van Gaal was surprised by his players performance too but added that they improved in the second half.

"He continued: “I can only say what I have seen. I think that, after a row of three victories and a draw in 2016, then you have a lot of confidence. That I didn’t see today. Also, the expectations are very high and the pressure for the players is also high because of that.“Of course, at half-time, I changed Juan Mata and saw, in the first 15 minutes, we were better and the fans were behind the team and cheering for the team. Darmian was injured and then it was gone. It’s a pity we didn’t continue with our momentum.”"

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 23: Charlie Austin of Southampton and Daley Blind of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on January 23, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

d problems. Austin then came on and announced his return to Premier League football with a header.

And adding on the Saints display, Van Gaal said they were very organised.

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"“Of course, I have also seen the match and it was a very difficult match. The two teams were well organised but didn’t have the creativity to create chances. The lucky one has won but the fans want to see a winning Manchester United and we could not provide that for them,” the 64 year-old added."