Last season, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United were thoroughly beaten down by League One side, the MK Dons, by four goals to nil. The Dutch manager’s redemption came last night, when his Red Devils beat Ipswich Town 3-0.
Speaking to MUTV, van Gaal had this to say about his Capital One Cup campaign:
“The result was great. We don’t have injuries. I brought in players, I rotated players. Phil Jones has played a lot of minutes. So I’m a happy coach.”
“Last year we were out in the first game against Milton Keynes away. At that time there were a lot of injuries and I played with my second team. We went out and the fans were not so pleased. I thought I should do it in another way. We play also at home so we have to make it enjoyable for the fans as well, our own fans. We have succeeded in doing that and that’s a major point for me. We have no injuries, we have won and we are in the next round.”
“The first goal I like the most because it was a fantastic pass from Daley Blind and the way Wayne Rooney finished it was fantastic because it was not so easy. The free-kick was beautiful but we know this is his [Pereira’s] quality, that’s why he may take the free-kick. Of course then there was Anthony’s [Martial] goal. In the last 15 minutes the gaps were bigger and bigger so it was easy for him.”
“We have to evaluate again. He had a big participation in that game because he shoots the free-kick in a fantastic way. He’s been training on that. Like all the other players, there is space for improvement for Pereira.”
“It is not so difficult because he is a player who is very modest. He knows that he can score and he can score because of his fellow players. We made it for him two times very easy because we won the game and the gaps are existing. With his speed and composure, he can score. He did it against Liverpool and now again. We are happy but still we have to keep our feet on the ground.”
“I said in advance to Phil [Jones] about how many minutes he thought he could play. 20, 30…he thinks more! It is not so easy to do that, but I asked him after the game if he felt fit and he said he did. He could easily have played more minutes so that’s a good signal.”
“It is a top club in the Championship. I don’t know much about them. The scout shall analyse the opponents like he did with Ipswich. It is one of the top clubs so it is not so easy. I am very happy with the result. I am happy we are playing at home. We are travelling a lot so it is good to stay at home.”
