He’s only gone and Dummett!
From CRAIG HOPE at St James’ Park
LOUIS VAN GAAL slammed Manchester United after they ‘threw away’ a two-goal lead as Paul Dummett’s last-minute goal earned Newcastle a 3-3 draw. The Dutch manager bemoaned the loss of ‘very expensive points’ as his side — with one win in eight in the Premier League — slipped to sixth in
the table. They led 2-0 inside the first half and were again ahead approaching injury time when Dummett salvaged a point for Steve McClaren’s relegation strugglers. Van Gaal said: ‘We threw it away. I am very disappointed. We have to blame ourselves because we could have finished the match with big chances for Jesse Lingard and Marouane Fellaini. ‘We have scored three goals and have one point, nothing more. We had to win but we did not do it.’ United led thanks to a Wayne Rooney spot-kick and Lingard’s cool finish before Georginio Wijnaldum and an Aleksandar Mitrovic penalty brought the score level. Rooney, though, fired the visitors in front with only 11 minutes remaining. Van Gaal added: ‘We were the better team and that is why it is very frustrating that we lose very expensive points. ‘We could have made six goals, I think. When you lose two points it’s very, very sad. Everybody knows it’s our own fault, not the referee or opponents.’ For McClaren, the draw brought an end to a four-match losing run and seven hours without a goal. He said: ‘We showed what we’re all about. People were questioning the attitude of our players but they were fantastic.’ The Magpies completed the £12million signing of Swansea and England midfielder Jonjo Shelvey yesterday and McClaren said: ‘It was important to get an English player in. I couldn’t believe we were able to get him.’ Paul Scholes has often criticised Van Gaal and although he praised United’s attacking intent at St James’ Park, the former Old Trafford legend doesn’t think they can win the Premier League. ‘They were a lot better, they looked a real threat, there was an intent to score goals,’ said Scholes on BT Sport. However, with a trip to Liverpool followed by matches against Southampton and Stoke at Old Trafford, Scholes added: ‘When you look at those fixtures coming up, every fixture feels like a tricky fixture. Is it a team that can go on to win the league? I don’t think so.’