Search icon

Football

18th Mar 2016

WATCH: Louis van Gaal is pleased that Manchester United fans recognise how well his team played

No, really

Conan Doherty

You have to admire him. In a way.

They say you can’t keep a good man down but what does it take to keep Louis van Gaal down?

The Manchester United manager was in defiant form – shock horror – after his side’s Europa League exit on Thursday night. A 1-1 home draw with Liverpool meant the Old Trafford men crashed out of the competition having lost 3-1 on aggregate but van Gaal was impressed with his team.

“We created enough chances but we know that, when you are attacking in this way and we are giving pressure, Liverpool will have counter chances,” he said after the match.

“The way that we conceded that goal in the last second of the first half… you could build up the second half so beautiful but then at half time they were disappointed and still they have given everything. I was very pleased that the fans were also seeing that and that they gave them a big applause after the match.

“We have tried to do everything.

“But you have to score three goals and that’s not too easy. They have given everything and more than everything.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lklU9jBcq_c

Clip via BeanymanSports.

If that wasn’t enough, when the dust had an extra minute or so to settle, van Gaal was taking even more heart from the fact – the apparent fact – that Manchester United supporters were behind the team, even after the game. (Those supporters that hung around, that is)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axVct3tC6G0

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10