Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal has urged fans to be more realistic over the club’s chances of success, with the Dutchman believing the days of the Red Devils being title favourites are over.

  • By Michael Bell
  • Follow Michael on Twitter

van gaal mufc chThe Premier League giants have been criticised after their exit from the Champions League midweek, coming third in their group behind German side Wolfsburg, and PSV of the Eredivisie.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, Louis van Gaal believes it is now harder for Manchester United to challenge for the title with the amount of money in the game, and the club can no longer be expected to win everything.

Van Gaal said, “I work hard, my players work hard, now we are in the Europa League and we have to work hard to win that,”

“That is not easy. But nobody hears that – they don’t want to hear me.

“They say a club like Manchester United has to win. That’s the past. You have the club to analyse now and compare it with ten years ago. There has been an evolution in European football. We have to analyse where we are. I think you can also say that there were a lot of positive things.

“But when you don’t want to see them that’s not my problem. I don’t want to mention them. I can say them but I don’t want to defend myself.”

Van Gaal added on criticism of his coaching, “I cannot say anything about myself so you have to judge,”

“I have read already in the media that I am 64 and I am too old. Last year I was good enough to get Holland to 3rd at the World Cup, that kind of stuff.

“I read the same things 20 years ago. When we went out at the group stage with Barcelona, they wrote the same thing – that my touch has gone. It is always like that. I cannot change that.

“I cannot change what is in your mind. I can only say the facts.

“The facts are this – we are out of the group stage, yes, I am very sorry. But I have done everything I could.

“Within two days we have to beat Bournemouth. I think also the players have to do that by themselves.

“I help them but they have to do it by themselves.

“I can make the difference, in tactics and everything. But I cannot score goals.”




admin (14221 Posts)

Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter