Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal rues missed chances
Red Devils bow out of the Europa League after a 3-1 defeat on aggregate to Liverpool.
Manchester United exited the Europa League after failing to come back from a 2-0 deficit, drawing 1-1 against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils went ahead via an Anthony Martial penalty in the first half, but Liverpool equalized just before the half with a Philippe Coutinho goal. The players and manager immediately looked to have lost the belief, with the team failing to create more than one chance on goal in the second half and Louis van Gaal sending on defensive replacements.
United could have capitalized on countless chances, but the squad would go on to regret missing their attempts. In the early goings of the match, they controlled the game flow and generated most of the chances.
Speaking to MUTV after the match, the manager discussed the missed chances:
"“It is very disappointing because we had the chance – that’s the feeling in the dressing room. We created enough chances – [Jesse] Lingard missed with his head, [Juan] Mata from eight metres, [Anthony] Martial also, but the way we conceded that goal, in the last seconds of the first half… If we didn’t concede that goal, it was possible. In the second half, we also had chances – [Marouane] Fellaini with his head, with his foot. But you have to score three goals and that’s not too easy.”"
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Going into the match, Manchester United were determined to create chances. They were able to do that, but unable to capitalize and score. The only goal for the Mancunians in the tie came through a penalty conversion from Martial.
Further speaking in the post match press conference, van Gaal elaborated on his squad’s effort:
"“We tried to do everything. We fought until the end. At half-time, the players were so disappointed but, still, we have given everything. I was very pleased the fans were also seeing that and gave them a big applause after the match.”"
It seems the Dutchman has yet to grasp the reality of the situation, that bowing out of the Europa League represents the next step in what seems like a constant regression during his tenure.
The only positive of the result could be that the team is now able to focus on finishing in the top four of the Premier League. However, with the way the team is currently playing, that seems incredibly unlikely.
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Manchester United will next face Manchester City in the derby on Sunday, followed by the FA Cup. Commenting on the upcoming schedule, van Gaal said:
"“We have to cope with it. We have to recover again after this match. The players have given everything – more than everything, I think – but still we have to play against Manchester City, which is a more important game now because it’s about qualification for the Champions League. And they have one [recovery] day more but that was also the case against Arsenal and we beat them, so we have to believe in it. We can do it but it’s our fifth or sixth game in two weeks.”"
The manager has already started with the excuses before match preparation has even begun, something that’s become typical for him.
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Either way, United have to return to winning ways sooner rather than later if they want to maintain any chance of qualification for the Champions League next season. Louis van Gaal is likely on his way out regardless of how the rest of the season pans out, but his parting gift could be European competition next season.