After playing a stalemate in the much-awaited Manchester Derby, Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal was happy with a controlled performance by his team, but was disappointed at luck not being on their side.
The derby was dull and lifeless for most part of it, with the first shot on target not coming until the 82nd minute. Jesse Lingard came closest to breaking the deadlock at Old Trafford by hitting the crossbar late on. But the United boss was moderately satisfied with his side’s performance, even though they missed out on the opportunity to go top.
On his team’s performance
a I am very proud of my players because I think we played 90 minutes of a tough game. Both sides played a very tactical game. It was very compact and organised, that is how Manchester City played against us.”, Van Gaal said in the post match press conference, as reported by Goal.com.
On a possible penalty for the foul on Herrera
The Dutchman also lamented United’s luck this season, admitting they have been unlucky on more than a few occasions.
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a I am only disappointed that we dona t have the luck, because I have seen on the video that it was a penalty, but the referee did not give us the benefit of the doubt. Of course it is difficult to see. I can see it clearly on the video that he does not touch the ball but the legs of Herrera. The luck, we have not had this season, but I can imagine it is not easy for the referee.
The match was quite an anticlimax, and with the quality of players on the field, the game should have been anything but dull. United were expected to go for the jugular, as a win would have sent them at the summit of the table and dominated the game towards the end of the second half.