Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has expressed his displeasure with the Champions League away trip to Moscow coming ahead of clash with Manchester City at the weekend, whilst stating that he wil be content with a point in Moscow.
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United take on league leaders Manchester City at the weekend in the Premier League in the Manchester derby.
Louis Van Gaal reckons City have the advantage over United
The Dutch manager stated that City have the advantage over United because his side will be traveling to Moscow to play in the Champions League while City will be playing Sevilla at home.
Van Gaal was quoted saying by ESPN FC: “Every club at the top of the league has the same problems. But now Manchester City has a benefit because they are playing at home [on Wednesday] and that is a difference,” the United manager said. “You have the benefit of the recuperation. Manchester City don’t have the travel we have so they have more rest.
“There is nothing you can do. They have the benefit. We do a lot of things to try and help. We have cold baths, we have warm baths, less training sessions and practice so the freshness is good enough to beat City. But first we have to beat Moscow.”
Van Gaal happy with a point
United play CSKA Moscow later tonight with all four side in the group on three points. The United manager has said that he will be content with a point against the Russian side.
Van Gaal said: “I said before the away match against PSV Eindhoven, one point is good. Three points is better but one point is good.”
“We trained in Manchester today because of the logistics and the way we have to prepare for matches.
“We were told that there would be traffic jams in Moscow so we thought it would be better to train at home on our training ground.”
Manchester United have been in fine form off late, with the defeat to Arsenal before the international break the only hiccup in recent times. They, however, bounced back with a impressive showing against Everton FC, beating them 3-0.
And while their form means they should be targeting more than a point, the fact that the Manchester derby is at the weekend as well as the fact that the Manchester side have to travel all the way to Moscow in the prevailing situation in the Russian capital means Van Gaal is not entirely wrong in targeting a point.