Worries continue for Van Gaal
EUROPA LEAGUE Manager bemoans Manchester United’s misfortunes after team suffers another injury and another defeat
LONDON: Louis van Gaal refused to take the blame for Manchester United’s latest humiliation as the embattled boss claimed bad luck was the reason for Thursday’s humiliating 2-1 defeat against Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
Van Gaal’s side were expected to coast to victory in the last 32, first leg, but they failed to build on Memphis Depay’s first-half goal as strikes from Pione Sisto and Paul Onuachu rocked United.
Just days after United were embarrassed in a 2-1 defeat at Premier League strugglers Sunderland, this was another chastening experience for van Gaal, whose miserable reign hit a new low in the unglamourous surroundings of the MCH Arena.
But van Gaal, who will face renewed calls for his sacking with Jose Mourinho repeatedly linked with his job, insisted United’s latest ill fortune on the injury front was the root cause of the defeat that laid bare the extent of United’s troubles.
Already without injured captain Wayne Rooney, van Gaal feared United were in for a difficult evening when Spain goalkeeper David de Gea was ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the warm-up, meaning a late call-up for deputy Sergio Romero.
“It is the law of Murphy, I think,” van Gaal told BT Sport.
“When you start a game and your goalkeeper is number 14 (on the injury list) then you are not starting like usual. When you play with another team every week with other players it doesn’t help. A lot of things are happening in the heads of the players. The first goal is deflected, it is unbelievable, it is too much.”