Van Gaal eyeing new strikers to bolster flagging Man Utd

Louis van Gaal couldn’t resist a sly dig at Swansea following Manchester United’s victory at Old Trafford yesterday.

United beat Swansea 2-1 on Saturday in an English Premier League (EPL) encounter courtesy strikes from Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney.

The slight rejuvenation, if not renaissance under Louis Van Gaal was evident in the match against Chelsea as United played like a team possessed and were extremely unlucky not to win as they were denied by the post and Courtois Jedi-like reflexes. “The way we’ve played this season, we’re more or less always dominant”.

FIRST HALF v SECOND HALF: “I think the first half was a better half than the second half; the difference is that we scored the goals and everyone is saying the second half is better. I give trust to the players”, the 64-year-old said.

Manchester United should not abandon their Premier League title hopes just yet, according to defender Chris Smalling.

United’s under-fire manager Van Gaal, however, was more focussed on the importance of a result that lifted United to fifth in the table after a dismal run in December.

Van Gaal also praised his players for their efforts in making a “risky” formation work in his first ever win against Swansea, at the fourth attempt.

ON UNITED’S CHARACTER AFTER SWANSEA EQUALISED: “Of course you could see there was a little drop in the team, but they had enough courage to continue and that you have seen”. That’s what we’ve got to do every week. “He wants to play, but I can imagine that he can’t always play in this world”, van Gaal said.

Earlier this season he broke Charlton’s England goal-scoring record by netting for the 50th time in his country’s colours.

It has left attacking options thin on the ground and the Dutchman has recalled young striker Will Keane from a loan spell at Preston to bolster a frontline that boasts just summer signing Anthony Martial and skipper Wayne Rooney – both of whom have seven goals to their name this season.

33′ – MATA SHOT – Mata backheels a 2-1 back to Martial, who’s tripped on the edge of the box. “He’s a terrific player and I’m glad we’ve got him”.

The Red Devils have been lambasted in the press and by their own fans for a host of abject offensive displays this term, with goals hard to come by for the historic club.

Wayne Rooney has failed to lead the line upfront and his diminishing legs coupled with lack of confidence has hurt the team.