Van Gaal: Champions win games like those

Daniel Storey

Louis van Gaal expressed his disappointment for the second time in a week after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Leicester. 

United fell behind to Jamie Vardy’s goal, but equalised before half-time through Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Van Gaal described the “dominance” of his side, but they registered only one shot on target other than the goal. 

“My players are disappointed because we had the feeling we could win,” Van Gaal said. “That is difficult to cope with because we could have been first in the league and now we are not.

“I am very disappointed because I had a feeling we could have won this game and we didn’t do that and we gave the goal away.

“We also gave away another chance and so we could have lost the game in spite of our dominance. When you want to be the champions at the end of the season – and we want that, the players want that, the manager wants that and the fans wants that – then you have to win this kind of game and we didn’t do that so I am disappointed.

“We didn’t win in such an important game but I have to say we have played against PSV Eindhoven and we gave everything.

“The goal they scored is a defensive organisation after a corner kick for us so you have to blame ourselves because we know that, we have showed the images of the characteristics of this team. We know what shall happen. We were organised but still it happens. That is no possible in my opinion.

“It was a lack of concentration. That is why I say we gave the goal away. They had once chance more and that was it.

“Despite our dominance we didn’t create so many chances. That is also because there are many bodies in a compact space. That is difficult so when you have a chance you have to score.”

United have now dropped to third in the league, and will be overtaken by Arsenal should they win at Norwich on Sunday afternoon.