Louis van Gaal bravely faced the media once more after another grave week at the club. He is far less familiar with and far more detached from the press these days after recent newspaper speculation about his future at the club.
But he did fulfil his duties and perhaps the most interesting comment that he made was in answer to how he felt about Manchester United’s midweek game.
On the draw with Newcastle in a highly entertaining, if ultimately disappointing game, Louis van Gaal is quoted by Manchester United’s official website as saying:
“I think I was more disappointed than the fans, I noticed that. I noticed that on the street and I had a lot of support on the street”
He did point out that United made up ground on fourth placed Tottenham, despite the draw.
On public concerns that Real Madrid will make a January move for David de Gea, in the light of their transfer ban, which comes into effect after this window:
“I don’t know…but now I am seeing David De Gea who is enjoying being here at Manchester United and playing good games.”
On whether Liverpool vs Manchester United is still the biggest game in England:
“That is how the fans see it and I feel it also already four times….Last year for example Steven Gerrard came on and he his sent off within thirty seconds – that is not happening so much. We need to be aggressive but also under control and that is always difficult because the passion to play in these kinds of games is very high.”
Louis van Gaal also gave a glowing recommendation of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and feels that he will be popular in England:
“You can see a very aggressive and pressing kind of playing the game….He is very capable to be a manager in the Premier League because he has shown always this kind of football and I think the fans shall love it.”
In terms of injuries, Louis van Gaal confirmed to MUTV earlier that:
“I think we have the same injuries as before, maybe Schweinsteiger is coming back but that is not sure. It is very tight to regain [full fitness] I think, he needs more time I think. Carrick, he is also injured, we have forgotten to mention it but he was injured. He is still injured so he cannot play either.”
Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are also still out.
We do feel sorry for Louis van Gaal who doesn’t look as if he is enjoying himself one bit right now.
That said, we are all aware that this is a results business and the Manchester United manager gets paid an absolute fortune to deal with these kind of pressures.
It’s barely conceivable that, after just one win in 8 in the league, that the boss would be able to carry on in the job if he suffered another defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
We think that even a draw would be unacceptable given recent results. But executive vie-chairman, Ed Woodward, seemingly feels differently about the situation.
Manchester United fans: should Louis be sacked if United drop more points at the weekend?
