After losing to Bournemouth last week, the Red Devils will now face Norwich at home this weekend. Being 4th on the table, Manchester United hasn’t put up any attacking play lately but has thankfully grinded out results. The 0-0 draws are becoming a thing at the club where the fanbase has termed the manager as a man who only plays for a draw. His failed philosophy and boring football has made the world question his capability and the ‘LvGOut’ quotes have begun already. There was a rumour that a banner of the same was scheduled to be flown during Norwich’s game, however it was later proved fake. If it were true, that shows the idiocy of the fans and proves to be a cringeworthy gesture.
The team has been performing poorly and injuries are to be blamed for this, too. Luke Shaw, United’s heart of defence has been out since months with his leg injury. However there were updates on his fitness claiming that he is recovering well. The Red Devils’ gaffer had an interview with the press before tomorrow’s game and disclosed some news and updates.
Louis van Gaal told MUTV Rooney, Herrera and Smalling have trained for a full week ahead of tomorrow’s game v Norwich.The boss added that Young is progressing – “We have to wait and see” – but Lingard and Darmian remain unavailable through injury. Louis van Gaal answered reporters on Wayne Rooney: “It is possible that he shall play [against Norwich] but we have to wait and see.” Van Gaal said United have an option to end James Wilson’s loan at Brighton early: “We have sent him to Brighton because he needs match rhythm and he has to show his qualities. We have extended his contract because of his qualities and we believe in him. If we are in trouble we can recall him.”
He also added, “I have the full confidence of my board and my players, that is what I feel. That is like that, but we have to get results, we have to win. We know that, the players know that, I know that and the members of staff know that. There is no doubt that we have to win because when you lose too much then even for me it is the end of the world.”
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, van Gaal was aked about Jose Mourinho’s departure. He said: “It was a big surprise for me, something that I did not expect. He is a fantastic manager with a record that nobody has in this football world, but it is still posssible. The main thing is, first, the results and secondly the chemistry between the players, the manager and his staff. I cannot say what was happening in Chelsea, but I was very surprised.”
When questioned about attacking football, the Dutchman said, “Goals are the most important thing, we have to always look for solutions to make goals. We are doing that but we have to look for the solutions in our selection, that’s important. Maybe we have solutions elsewhere but that’s more difficult, because in January clubs shall not let go of players who score.” After losing last week, LvG spoke about bouncing back for this fixture, “The only answer is to win this game. It’s still difficult because we are playing in the Premier League, but at home you have to win, and that’s for sure. Norwich have had good results against top teams. What I always say, and that’s not any excuse, is that winning in the Premier League is not so easy.”