Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal very happy for Wayne Rooney

With van Gaal apparently having more bodies from which to select, following returns from injury and a lack of pre-season training, the United manager is toying with the idea of using Ander Herrera in the “number 10” position, playing behind his solitary striker. “And he proved that this evening (Wednesday)”.

Arriving at Belgium with a comfortable 2 goal lead, Manchester United had to keep it organised and grind out a result.

“The history of the club says we have to fight for all the trophies and that is what we intend to do this season“.

“It could be worse…and it could be better”, said van Gaal at a news conference on Friday. “I think about the team and this is how I play“, Herrera told reporters at Jan Breydel Stadium after his side completed a 7-1 aggregate victory that qualified them for the group phase. We have to be ready to play against a very good team. “So I’m very pleased also for him“.

“We have already believed, I don’t believe that it shall change”.

“I haven’t seen the images again yet…”

“I think I try to help my teammates, I try to offer myself when my teammates have the ball and this is the way I play”. “It was unselfish, and it shows he is always thinking of the team”.

After a year-long absence from Europe’s biggest club competition, United got past Club Brugge to secure their spot in the group stage.

“I am a team player, I always say the same”, the 26-year-old added.

Manchester United midfielder Ashley Young is looking forward to being back in the Champions League following the draw for the competition’s group stage.

“But I’ve understood because of who I am it gets publicised a lot more but it’s part of my job and I have to accept that”.

“I can not influence the draw, so it’s better to hear afterwards”.

Club Brugge coach Michel Preud’homme was impressed by United’s display.

Van Gaal, 64, acknowledged that former Sampdoria goalkeeper Romero has made “very good saves” so far. “They are a hard team to beat, especially away”.

But it was Memphis Depay who deserved the plaudits for the opener, cutting inside from the left and beating two players before feinting to shoot, and setting up Rooney with superbly weighted pass.