Van Gaal bemoans United’s Liverpool boost
MANCHESTER United had encouraged Liverpool in the race for a place in Europe’s elite Champions League after losing 3-0 to Everton on Sunday, Louis van Gaal said.
Goals from James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas at Goodison Park left United anxiously looking over their shoulders at fifth-placed Liverpool as they aim for a top-four finish that will bring Champions League football to Old Trafford next season.
Van Gaal said after Sunday’s match that he had seen warning signs even before the kickoff that his players were not at their best.
“I think so, yes,” the Dutch manager said when asked if that was the most disappointing performance of his reign at United.
“I noticed that our motivation, inspiration and aggression was not as high as the opponent,” he said.
“I already had the feeling, as did my colleagues [coaches] Ryan Giggs and Albert Stuivenberg, because the warming up was not as good as usual.
“You need the inspiration and motivation and aggression to win the second balls – and fight until the end.”
Liverpool trail United by seven points, but have a game in hand.
The Reds will have played two matches before United next take the field – against West Bromwich on Saturday – meaning Van Gaal’s side may only have a one-point cushion by the time they kick off.
“I have said that to the players -- you have given light to your opponents,” he said.
Sunday’s reverse also repre- sented a miserable return to Goodison for former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
He missed a glorious chance to equalise, was booked for a foul on Ross Barkley and then substituted at half time, in part to avoid a dismissal.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez, whose side have won five and drawn one in their last six league games, was delighted with the latest performance of the Toffees.
“I thought we were the better side and well worth the clean sheet and the three points,” Martinez, whose team are now in the top half of the Premier League table, said . – AFP