Charming Chris: Smalling basks in hard Manchester United win

Manchester United’s Juan Mata and Chris Smalling recap their emotional 2-1 win over Wolfsburg, as the Spaniard notched a goal and an assist in the win.

Juan Mata converted from the spot in the 34 minute after a handball incident by Caligiuri before Chris Smalling netted the victor in the 53 minute to reward his side with all three points.

Post-match, van Gaal said United should have been in front by half-time but praised his players’ spirit early in the second half. Van Gaal believes that if they had kept the possession well during that time “United could have won the game in a better way.”

And Van Gaal admits he could be forced to change his team, despite four straight wins in all competitions, due to concerns over the freshness of his squad.

Arsenal have an extra 24 hours to prepare for Sunday’s match at The Emirates stadium, having played their Champions League game against Olympiakos Piraeus on Tuesday.

“I help him with advice, also with training sessions, demands, showing images to improve him, but he has to be open and he has to perform on the pitch”.

“Ashley Young is very important now”, said Van Gaal of an individual who was not expected to last long under his management. Manchester United had to play a qualifier last month but Wednesday’s game against Wolfsburg will be the first group match at home in more than a year. A lot of players are very exhausted because of the accumulation of matches.

Van Gaal said he was still planning to leave after his contract expires in 2017, reluctant to break a promise to his wife that he would retire as planned. Then we have also another sequence so it is a rule in our way of taking penalties.

“The players have a day off on Friday, so we will have to wait and see on Saturday, then I can make decisions”.

“I can say as a manager that he played very well and agree with you, but I don’t agree with you”.

The Dutchman said Smalling’s goal would give the player the confidence to find the back of the net more often.