Louis van Gaal defiant despite Uefa Champions League exit

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal took the blame for his side’s dramatic exit from the Champions League following a 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg.

“I can’t defend myself, because we are out of the Champions League and every word I say will be wrong”, said Van Gaal.

A rather unusual late own goal from 25-year-old Josuha Guilavogui lifted Manchester United’s spirits, but Wolfsburg grabbed the victor late on through Naldo. I’m disappointed that we are out of the Champions League. We fought for the win, but with ten men at the end [after injuries] we couldn’t do more than what we have done.

“United just look an average team, really, and with an average team, you get average performances”.

There was a point in the game when the Red Devils could have gone through to the knockout stages despite losing the fixture after news started trickling in of CSKA Moscow’s lead against PSV Eindoven, but the moment was short-lived as the Dutch club turned the game around with 10 men to win 2-1.

In addition to Scholes’ assessment, former United defender Rio Ferdinand added that the side should be embarrassed to have to drop down into the Europa League.

I was in a squad that went into the Europa League and it’s an embarrassment. It’s the way we normally work – it’s the way I like us to play.

“We’ve won all of our home games in the Champions League and you’ve got to do that if you want to go through – but this was not about atoning for what happened in the Bundesliga at the weekend [losing to Borussia Dortmund]”.

“I would like to come back in a club with a good project, but, of course, one that is competitive”, he said.

Van Gaal felt the fact that he had seven first-team players out injured did not help.

Former United stalwart Ferdinand highlighted the fact that the defending on show cost his former side any chance they had of advancing.

“It was a insane match”, he said. “There are a lot of games coming up, so I hope he scores more goals”, the 28-year-old midfielder concluded. “[Wayne] Rooney if he isn’t having an off day, but they’re quite a way off. Having spent so much money, it’s disappointing”.

In the second half both teams again tested each other, Martial nearly secured his second goal of the night when he volleyed the ball towards the Wolfsburg keeper Benaglio but the effort was well saved.

Marouane Fellaini believes Manchester United’s chances of winning the Premier League are likely to be hampered by their participation in the Europa League.

But it is make-or-break for Van Gaal and with Carlo Ancelotti fluttering his eyelashes at the Premier League and Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich future unresolved, he can not afford many more missteps.