Manager Louis van Gaal hit out at Manchester United’s former players, alleging that it is due to their undue criticism that the fans have turned against him.
The Red Devils were expected to challenge for the Premier League title this season after finishing in the top four positions last campaign.
However, the club has had a difficult time, struggling to make it to the top four. This, coupled with Manchester United’s style of football, has brought in a lot of criticism from the stands for manager Louis van Gaal. However, the Dutchman believes that criticism from the club’s former players and the media has played a big factor in turning the fans against him.
“In spite of the attacks of the media – and not only the media, the legends and other kinds of people – I am here and I am fighting, I am an open book,” Van Gaal was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
“When you have expectations that Manchester United has to be champions, then you’re disappointed. But when we qualify ourselves or win a title, I am satisfied. But in the eyes of some fans, or many fans, that’s not enough because you have to win the title.
“I have the impression that I will still be here, otherwise I can’t say all the things that I have said. But in the football world, you never know, and I have seen that before.”
Worst tally ever?
The Dutchman might be of the opinion that the pundits are too critical of him, but the numbers are not exactly in his favour. While there is still a chance that Manchester United could qualify for the Champions League next season, Louis van Gaal also runs the risk of ending up as the manager with the lowest league points for the Red Devils in a Premier League season.
David Moyes’ Manchester United side scored 64 points in 2013-2014, the current worst tally for the club in the league. The Red Devils are standing on 63 this campaign going into the final game, meaning that if they lose or draw their final game of the Premier League season with Bournemouth, Van Gaal will have the unenviable distinction of being the manager under whom the Red Devils record their lowest Premier League points tally in a season.
