Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal was speaking ahead of the Sunderland game this Saturday. Van Gaal faced questions on progress his side has made this season and how the team is looking to bounce back from their defeat against Swansea last time around.
Van Gaal on Van Persie’s injury
Louis Van Gaal started the conference by giving the news which every Man United fan was hoping not to hear. Van Gaal did not confirm the exact extent of Robin Van Persie’s foot injury and said that it could take up to two-three weeks for the striker to comeback to training.
Van Gaal said: “He is injured, the only injured player that I have. So, we change Carrick for van Persie. He has an ankle problem so I don’t think it is heavy, but an ankle problem takes a long time. It’s not one or two weeks, but we will have to wait and see.”
Van Gaal on Falcao starting against Sunderland
Falcao has been a major subject of discussion since his loan move from AS Monaco. Van Gaal hinted that Falcao might start since Van Pesie is missing for the reds but did not give any idea on his possible starting 11 for the game against Sunderland.
Van Gaal said: “The possibility is higher of course because when a striker is away another has to play. I never give you any openings [in terms of who he will play] so we will have to wait and see.”
Van Gaal on new contracts for Tyler Blackett and Reece James
Van Gaal was happy with the contract extension for youngsters Tyler Blackett and Reece James. The club has managed to tie up long-term deals for the future defensive prospects for United. Van Gaal expressed his delight by saying: “I am happy that we can sign players from our youth academy.”
“It is the strategy of the club. When I came here there they told me that they wanted to have more youth academy players in the first-team.”
Van Gaal on prospect of not making the top four
Louis Van Gaal was quizzed about the possibility of not finishing in top four. Ideally he was not happy with the idea and outlined the disappointment which the players and club will feel if they fail to achieve the objective laid out when the season began.
Van Gaal said: “Big disappointment, of course, a big disappointment.”
“When you start the season with the objective of finishing in the first four of the league it is your objective and you are occupied with doing that.”
“But we are still there, I don’t know why are we talking about it when it is not like that, because we are still there. What is the problem?”
Van Gaal on a must-win game for Manchester United
Manchester United manager was peculiar on how his side is in desperate need to win against Sunderland this weekend to raise their claim to finish in top 4 this season. He highlighted that there is a 5-club race for the last 2 spots in Top 4 and United must win their matches in coming weeks starting against Sunderland this weekend.
Van Gaal said: “It is because of the rat race between 5 clubs that we have to win, we have to be there. It is not so important now, but at the end of the season. Therefore you have to win your matches because the other clubs are winning their matches.”
Quotes Credits: manutd.com, Mark Froggatt