Van Gaal: I’ve seen Mata play even better!

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has praised Ashley Young for putting the team before himself, as per the club’s official website. Manchester United managed to edge past Wolfsburg 2-1 in their last Champions League encounter, but head-coach van Gaal’s concern over the tough schedule remains undiminished.

Louis van Gaal has Michael Carrick fit for Manchester United’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday and he has hinted a few changes could be made.

Victory saw United move second in Group B, with all teams now locked on three points after CSKA Moscow beat United’s opening-night conquerors PSV Eindhoven 3-2 in Russian Federation.

He had previously dispatched a penalty to equalise for the home side, which cancelled out Daniel Caligiuri’s fourth-minute opener. Only from the penalty that we got off this referee could we score.

In truth, barring the odd injury or suspension, the England worldwide has impressed since van Gaal took over the managerial reins at Old Trafford in the summer of 2014 and when asked what he has done to improve Smalling, the manager was quick to play down his own contribution.

The former Chelsea player had already scored United’s equaliser from the penalty spot before his backheel volley confounded the Wolfsburg defence and Smalling ran on to it to finish.

“We could have won this game in a better way. I am responsible. Of course, I communicate always with my players, but I make the decisions and everybody knows that except you“, Van Gaal added. He has not played so much there but the second goal started with him.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground and we have to improve a lot to be at the top of Europe”, he said.

“I think it’s very important for me also to play in a competition like this”.

“He is a team player, and not many players are”, Van Gaal said.

“It was a very good win, it was a must-win and it was very hard when you start with one goal behind in the first four minutes, when they scored a fantastic goal, I have to admit”.

“We didn’t give them too many chances”. He is always thinking of the team and he can play a lot of positions.