Louis van Gaal insists he cannot halt Manchester United’s poor run of form because he is not God, after watching his side suffer a third successive defeat.
The Red Devils lost 1-0 to West Brom at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Chris Brunt’s deflected free-kick proving decisive, as United failed to score for the third game in a row.
The hosts dominated the ball throughout – boasting almost 80 per cent possession – but could not break a resolute Baggies’ defence down, with Robin van Persie missing a penalty in the second half.
United’s 3-0 defeat to Everton followed a similar pattern, and Van Gaal admits that his side must find a way through teams who set up to defend against their possession-based style.
“I have said that in advance also, you think that I am God but it’s not like that,” he told reporters on Saturday. “What is happening is happening always because when your team is playing better, they should defend more.
“Also Everton at home had a very defensive organisation, and Chelsea at home also, they come here like that and you can expect it but also in our away matches they are defending.
“We have to disorganise that organisation but that is the next step in the process. We have more time on the ball, they have more time to break, we need to play with higher ball speed and that is difficult, to do that against so many bodies in front of you.”
Van Gaal also played down concerns that United could slip out of the top four – with Liverpool cutting the gap to four points with their win over QPR earlier in the day.
“I said until the end that it was a rat race,” he added.
“We were seven points ahead and I was the only one who said it was still possible. We have to keep the confidence and finish the chances because it starts with creating chances, and we had the chances today to finish.
“It is a pity and it is disappointing but it is much worse when you don’t create any chances in spite of the organisation like West Brom did but also like, for example, Chelsea did
The hosts dominated the ball throughout – boasting almost 80 per cent possession – but could not break a resolute Baggies’ defence down, with Robin van Persie missing a penalty in the second half.
United’s 3-0 defeat to Everton followed a similar pattern, and Van Gaal admits that his side must find a way through teams who set up to defend against their possession-based style.
“I have said that in advance also, you think that I am God but it’s not like that,” he told reporters on Saturday. “What is happening is happening always because when your team is playing better, they should defend more.
“Also Everton at home had a very defensive organisation, and Chelsea at home also, they come here like that and you can expect it but also in our away matches they are defending.
“We have to disorganise that organisation but that is the next step in the process. We have more time on the ball, they have more time to break, we need to play with higher ball speed and that is difficult, to do that against so many bodies in front of you.”
Van Gaal also played down concerns that United could slip out of the top four – with Liverpool cutting the gap to four points with their win over QPR earlier in the day.
“I said until the end that it was a rat race,” he added.
“We were seven points ahead and I was the only one who said it was still possible. We have to keep the confidence and finish the chances because it starts with creating chances, and we had the chances today to finish.
“It is a pity and it is disappointing but it is much worse when you don’t create any chances in spite of the organisation like West Brom did but also like, for example, Chelsea did
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