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Van Gaal: Manchester United stars handled the pressure

The former Barcelona boss believes his team have adapted to his philosophy excellently in their strong recent run and singled out Ashley Young for special praise.

MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Louis van Gaal believes his squad deserve all the credit for their recent form after they recorded a sixth straight Premier League win with victory over Manchester City.

Goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling secured a 4-2 victory for the Red Devils to move them four points clear of City in third and maintain their push for a Champions League place.

Van Gaal’s philosophy has been questioned by many since his arrival at Old Trafford, though Phil Jones claimed on Saturday that the team were starting to understand the way in which the Dutch coach wants them to play. And the former Barcelona boss feels his players should be praised for handling the pressure and managing a switch in formation to 4-3-3 in recent weeks.

“We have made already big steps in the last six games, because after the defeat against Arsenal [in the FA Cup] it was very difficult of course for my team to stand up and to maintain our confidence in the philosophy,” he told Sky Sports. “I have to say all the credit to the players because they have to do it under pressure, under the expectations of the fans because the fans were expecting today that we would win, and of course after the match you can say we have won but it is not so easy, you can see also the stress of the players in the first 10 minutes.”

As well as netting United’s first goal, Young also claimed two assists in his role as a left-winger as the England international put in another encouraging performance. And Van Gaal was full of praise for the ex-Aston Villa man despite Sergio Aguero’s late consolation being created down his flank.

“Yeah I think Ashley Young was man of the match… I’ve seen it [on television]! So I think that is right because I found that also, he was very good. “He was involved with the first three goals, very important goals, and he did his job as a left winger. When he was left midfielder he let in one goal but OK, I can…how do you say… I can accept it.”

Originally published at 08.08

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    Mute blindside
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    Apr 5th 2020, 11:20 PM

    Genuinely not having a go, but why not just stay off it, away from it and completely avoid social media. People will always oppose strong opinions and equally strong opposition to those opinions.

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    Mute Adrian Carroll
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    Apr 5th 2020, 11:47 PM

    @blindside: I think its because he is trying to stay relevant.

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    Mute my name
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    Apr 5th 2020, 11:59 PM

    @blindside: even if he didn’t have a profile online the abuse would still be there. Obviously he didn’t help himself last week, but every November he gets more than anyone’s share of abuse

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:06 AM

    @Adrian Carroll: Wrong. Players these days are isolated and they need it. Mich like us now.

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:07 AM

    @Louis Jacob: *much

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    Mute Liam Connery
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    Apr 6th 2020, 3:18 PM

    @Adrian Carroll: clown

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    Mute nicknack
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:01 AM

    I’m sure he gets fairly bad insults from social media and during matches but certainly don’t help himself wearing balaclavas putting it up on social media either

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    Mute Mel Roberts
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:25 AM

    The abuse he gets from his fellow countrymen is nearly every bit as bad as bad as what he gets across the water. The fella is the first one to put his hand in his pocket whenever there is fundraising for anything, he can never be found wanting for effort each and every time he pulls on a green jersey. While he may have made a mistake last week it in no way justifies the abuse he gets.

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    Mute stephen keane
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:40 AM

    @Mel Roberts: my god for once I agree with u

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    Mute Cian Nolan
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:11 PM

    @Mel Roberts: It was a badly misjudged joke on his part. Naive and Stupid. But there’s no doubt he receives way worse online than his joke last week.

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    Mute Nic Antonio
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:38 AM

    Priceless asking McClean to take a cut Even though he’s donated a lot of money in the last month not to mention other causes in the last few years.McCleans not on the same money as the lads at the very top,he won’t be getting that money when he retires and what he does earn now will be taxed heavily.Yes he can live comfortably now but he’s not obliged to take a cut,he’s doing his bit in this crisis.

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    Mute Colm Connolly
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    Apr 6th 2020, 9:15 AM

    Let’s be honest here the abuse is vile and wrong but he puts out stuff like last week that brings it on ,I’m not justifying what the trolls have said to him but he should know by now what will be said to him , I have a serious problem with his ability on the pitch and he makes me angry but I dont wish harm on him , ya he gives it 100% every time he plays in green but that’s just him running about like a headless chicken , unfortunately he will still make the squad at the moment but let’s call a spade a spade here , he has in no way lived up to the hype from the start of his career and now never will
    If the stories of his donations in the past few weeks are true then fair play to him he is doing more than the owners of alot of clubs and should be commended

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Apr 6th 2020, 9:38 AM

    OMG , when you are in a massive hole, ffs stop digging.

    He is a media gift that just keeps giving.

    Has he shit for brains or what. Has he no advisors or does he just not listen to friends or family.

    Just play football and shut up trying to justify your stupid actions of posting yourself in a balaclava .
    rich people try to buy their way into our hearts with their donations or cover their badness,in any case it should be done and it’s tax efficient for him.
    Now he is using reverse psychology that he is the victim and totally innocent.

    I suppose through time he will lead us to the ‘ it has effected my family and they are receiving treatment as a result ‘ bit to buy him some sympathy or his sister will LEAK what a good boy he is putting someone up for Christmas .
    Don’t make me laugh

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    Mute Darren Laird
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    Apr 6th 2020, 9:39 AM

    Your going to reap just what your sow!

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    Mute Phil O Stine
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    Apr 6th 2020, 8:20 AM

    Sticks and stones

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