Journalists push LVG’s buttons. He pushes back
Louis van Gaal was far from impressed at his post-match briefing today when a journalist questioned Manchester United’s progress and compared his record to that of predecessor David Moyes.
United lost 1-0 to Southampton this afternoon, leaving them fourth in the Premier League table. Van Gaal’s side have 37 points after 21 games, exactly the same number Moyes’ troops managed at this stage last season.
The Dutchman had already sniped back at a few press queries before the Moyes comparison was made. An incredulous van Gaal remarked, ‘So, you have waited all season, until this moment, (so) you can ask this question? At the moment I have less, or the same, points as David Moyes. Does that mean I have not made (United) better?’
Despite attempts from United’s press officer to wrap up the briefing, van Gaal continued, ‘Yes, that is why I’m always saying – We have to be better and we have to improve. We are working very hard. All the training sessions, all the team meetings, all the individual meetings, we are working at that.
‘I have said already, we were the dominating team but we have to create more chances when we are dominating.’
Van Gaal was angered at repeated questions about the non-appearance of Radamel Falcao in United’s match-day 18. The manager insisted Falcao was fit but reasoned that he could not fit him in his squad as other players needed appearances to improve their ‘match rhythm’.
When a second journalist queried leaving the Colombian striker out but having three central defenders on the bench, van Gaal refused to answer. ‘You can write what you want tomorrow but I have already explained,’ he declared.
Van Gaal also scotched reports that Falcao had stormed out of Old Trafford when he was not included in the squad. ‘No,’ he said, ‘Falcao was here.’
You can listen to the full interview on Talksport by clicking here.
