Manchester United’s winning start to the Premier League campaign came to a halt at Old Trafford as resilient Newcastle United held on to draw the game.
Wayne Rooney gave United the lead in the 4th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out as the English international was marginally offside when Adnan Januzaj threaded a through ball forward. Krul saved a shot from Juan Mata only minutes later, but it was Newcastle United’s new signing Aleksandar Mitrovic who came closest to scoring, as his header came back off the bar.
Rooney’s goal drought has now extended to over 10 games and the English international seems bereft of ideas in the now unfamiliar striker’s role. Tim Krul made a couple of handy saves during the match to keep the visitors on level terms. Javier Hernandez’s second half shot was also blocked by Krul, who put his legs to excellent use. The Red Devils could have won the match in the 90th minute when Chris Smalling’s header crashed against the post.
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In fact, the Magpies could have run away with all three points, if only new signing Florian Thauvin had connected with a low cross from Papiss Cisse in the dying minutes of the game.
We have created a lot of chances and we were unlucky – Louis Van Gaal
Speaking after the match, as quoted by the club’s official website, Louis Van Gaal said, “I think we can be satisfied about the performance but not about the result because we dona t reward ourselves. I think we have created a lot of chances and we were unlucky.”
The Dutchman, however, did criticize his side’s finishing, but blamed poor luck equally for the loss.
“Ita s also luck. I think it was a great dribble by Chicharito after getting the ball. I think you also need luck in football and ita s not only what you say about quality. I think the quality in the third phase in the crossing positions, we didna t do so good, we didna t make the right choices.”
“Also we can do better with the speed of the ball and, of course, we had open chances, alone with the goalkeeper, and we have to score there normally. But I think we were very unlucky. But we played fantastic as a team and we have fought until the end and thata s fantastic to see. I like this type of game, only the result was bad.”
Van Gaal was full of praise for his defence, who have managed to keep three consecutive clean sheets in the league.
“Ita s a fantastic start [in terms of defending] and I think, also against Brugge, not one chance and then an unlucky goal so Ia m very pleased with the clean sheets.”