Van Gaal: Consequences of failure at United not a concern
Weekend Bender: United aim for top four
Louis van Gaal says he has not considered the consequences of failing to guide Manchester United back into the Champions League this season.
The Old Trafford hierarchy are content with the way Van Gaal is running the club in his first campaign with United, the manager said, even though criticism of his methods has been rising in recent weeks.
“I am not thinking of the consequences if we don’t finish in fourth or third,” Van Gaal told reporters. “That would be bad for the club, but why do we have to speak now about things that have not happened yet?
‘I will live up to United’s No.7 shirt’
Angel Di Maria has had a disappointing start to his Manchester United career © Getty Images
- Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria insists he is enjoying life at Old Trafford and is determined to succeed at the club following his record-breaking £59.7 million move from Real Madrid last summer.
- Click here to continue reading
“I don’t think that I am here to think about the financial consequences. I’m here to manage the professional football department and I’m here because of my qualities and my philosophy. That was spoken about in the first sessions between [United executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward and myself.
“After that, I also spoke with the Glazer family and because of that discussion, I am here now. I think they are pleased with my way of managing the club.”
Van Gaal is convinced his side are still making progress despite their FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Arsenal last Monday and some indifference performances of late, as he suggested his first season at the club was all building for the future.
“Of course, we have disappointing moments but we can survive and we have confidence to qualify for the Champions League,” he added.
“I remember when I went to AZ, a very minor club in Holland. In my first season we were second, in my second season we were third and in my third season we finished 11th.
“I said to my players that I would go away, but the players then came to my house to ask me to stay, and so did the board. So I said, ‘Okay, I will stay.’ And, in the fourth year, we were champions.
“When I think the chemistry between the players and the manager is not good enough anymore, then I go. It is not a question, I can go for myself also.
“I am in my first season here and I can still win the title, but that will probably go to Chelsea. What we have to do is continue in our process, but we have been in the top four longer than Arsenal this season. That is true.”
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
Feeds: ESPN staff
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
