Van Gaal takes hit over United exit

It is only the fourth occasion the Red Devils have failed to progress from the group stages of Europe’s elite competition, but Van Gaal claims the “facts” show that his side are on the right track with him as manager. “They are an average team and with an average team, you get average performances”.

Rio Ferdinand, alongside Scholes in the TV studios, was equally cutting with his post-match verdict.

A picture of the Dutchman sitting in the dug-out with his head in his hands during Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg adorned several back pages, The Times branding United’s exit “Embarrassing, Amateurish, Excruciating”.

“I just think sometimes managers get too much credit when things are going well and they get too much criticism when things aren’t going so well”.

He added: “We’ve got great character and a great team spirit, so I don’t think that [a drop in form] will happen”.

Wolfsburg on Tuesday needed a victory to secure the top spot in Group B whereas United were in need of a victory or a loss by Dutch side PSV Eindhoven to guarantee their progression.

The Italian worldwide will also be further assessed at Carrington this afternoon but it’s another injury headache van Gaal could do without as United gear up for the hectic festive period.

“To be fair I didn’t want him to be suspended, because now I want Manchester United to win games!” “Every word I say is wrong”.

“The facts say we are better than a year ago”. The manager’s woe was compounded by injuries to defenders Matteo Darmian (hamstring) and Chris Smalling (groin), which he said would likely rule them out of Saturday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth. “People are looking around at each other rather than saying, “I will drag you through”. United drew the match level when Wolfsburg’s French midfielder Josuha Guilavogui scored a late own goal seconds before Naldo guaranteed his second by heading the winning goal.

United took an early lead in Germany through Anthony Martial but poor defending at set-pieces allowed Brazilian defender Naldo to score a brace.

“When we picked someone like Louis Van Gaal, who has a very big ego and personality, we also picked his way of playing football”, said the popular Dane, who won five Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League with United.