Van Gaal says Manchester United were ‘fantastic’ in final third

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Anthony Martial of Manchester United scores his team’s second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on February 2, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal praises Manchester United players for their creativeness against Stoke

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal said his side were ‘fantastic’ in the way they created their goals and kept a clean sheet in the win over Stoke City on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils were expecting a tough tie against the Potters but United came out in confident mood and dispatched the side within the first 30 minutes with the final score 3-0.

Before half time it was 2-0 to the Reds as goals from Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial had calmed down early nerves in the stadium. Lingard scored a header from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s cross while Martial showed his true class yet again, netting a sensational strike in to the top corner and earning another Man of the Match award.

The 20 year-old is already becoming United’s most valuable player and it will be no surprise to see him one day, maybe in a Barcelona or Real Madrid shirt.

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United’s win over Stoke was also very impressive as they kept a clean sheet, with goalkeeper David De Gea virtually untested. And on the win, which has seen United’s 2016 so far start off impressively, Van Gaal said he was a happy coach.

"He said, as reported by manutd.com: “I am a happy coach. When you see how we created the goals, with fantastic play building up from the back and finishing – that’s what I like. In the second half we controlled the game and did not give any chances to Stoke City which is unbelievable because Stoke have made it very difficult for a lot of teams.”"

Before the game against Stoke, United had failed to score in the first half at Old Trafford in over 10 games. It was a horrible statistic that the manager and players wanted to change.

They mange to do that in style and now it should give the side more confidence, something the 64 year-old admitted Carrick mentioned to him during the game.

"“Michael Carrick said to me what a difference a first-half goal makes because you play with much more confidence and you can do much more. I believe that was the difference. We scored two goals in the first half and it was an easier game than I expected.”“I always like team goals and the second one was a team goal, building up from the back and then switching the play to the other side and then a finish like that, it was fantastic. I also liked the first goal because it was also a team goal – a cross from [Cameron] Borthwick-Jackson on his birthday, an assist and then Jesse [Lingard] coming in from the other side. I am very happy.”"

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All of the players on the pitch impressed and its likely that the side will remain the same for the trip to Chelsea on the weekend. However, anchorman Morgan Schneiderlin could come back into the side.

But for Juan Mata it was a good display with the 27 year-old struggling for game time in recent weeks. He provided key passes and got in between the gaps which was key. Van Gaal was impressed and spoke on the former Chelsea man for his contribution.

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"And on the Spaniard, who has now started the last two games: “He participated in all three goals, that’s also what I like to see. When he’s playing how he is playing now, then the chance is big [for him to feature centrally more often]. Every player has to do it every week, even my captain has to do that because everyone has forgotten that he was a substitute against Stoke away. It’s always the same with me, you have to prove it in every game and training session, and then you play. But when Mata plays like this, I cannot say to him ‘go to the bench.”"

United next take on Chelsea as they look to hunt down the Champions League spots with Van Gaal adding on the sides strong start to the year.

"“It’s fantastic. I think 2016 is a year we have started very well,” Van Gaal added."