It’s official now! The crisis times are back at Old Trafford as Van Gaal’s crew continue their atrocious run of performances. And latest speculations suggest that LVG’s job is in jeopardy again as club owner Ed Woodward lines replacement for the Dutchman.
The 20-time title-holders tumbled out of Champions League earlier this week when Wolfsburg gave them a 3-2 thrashing, putting an end to LVG’s hopes of a long cup run. And yesterday night, even newly-promoted Bournemouth took the piss out of Red Devils at Dean Court.
Cherries racked up a goal in each half via two set plays, with Junior Stanislas breaking the score sheet straight from a corner in the opening three minutes. Former United starlet Josh King sealed victory for Eddie Howe’s team by netting a sublime goal in the 54th minute of Saturday night’s showdown.
While Man Utd are not known for front-foot thrills these days, there is a general feeling that the club’s defensive ranks are one of the best in England. Against lowly Dorset side, even that defense was ripped apart and left into tatters on a cold night at Vitality Stadium, much to LVG’s frustration.
“Again, two set pieces like against Wolfsburg,” he said. “That’s not normal for us because we gave a lot of attention to all the organization but they had a few variations and they did it very well, I have to say, but still it can’t be, I believe.”
United boss applauded Bournemouth’s brilliant performance that made it hard for Red devils to get back into the contest after King’s second-half strike.
“I thought in the first half we played well, we created chances, scored a goal and I had the feeling that we could win in the second half,” he said. “And then again a set play and then you are behind in the score and it is very difficult to have a revival, I think. The players did everything, but I have to also say Bournemouth are pressing on the ball in a fantastic way and that’s why it makes it more difficult to get the equalizer or to create chances. But still we had the chances also in the second half.”
However, Van Gaal was confident that his players still held belief in him, despite United’s latest loss.
“It is always like that, so it is not new,” he said. “But it is a matter of belief, if you believe in this manager or not, because that is the most important thing. Last year all the fans have shown their belief and that is the most important thing, but for me the most important thing is the commitment of the players and how they perform what we have agreed, and that I can only tell they want to do that. I’m having always that confidence when the players want to perform in this way, then I have confidence always.”