LOUIS VAN GAAL hailed Marouane Fellaini’s late strike as the crucial goal as Manchester United secured a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.
Fellaini rose to meet a long diagonal ball from Memphis Depay in stoppage time at Old Trafford, the midfielder nodding past Sebastien Bruzzese to secure a two-goal cushion.
The Belgium international’s strike came after Depay had starred on his European debut for United, the 21-year-old netting twice in the first half with two precise finishes to open his account.
Van Gaal was delighted to have secured a first-leg victory in the play-off round, and believes Fellaini’s impact will be crucial in their hopes of reaching the group stages.
“It makes a difference because 2-1 is a very difficult result,” he told BT Sport. “We deserved much more because we created a lot of chances.
“It is what I am always saying, you have to be effective. We have a lot of chances and only three goals.
“I am happy because of the last goal. We have practiced that before when we need Fellaini, we put him in the penalty area because he has that quality.”
And Depay earned praise from his manager for a scintillating display.
Van Gaal added: “I am very happy for Memphis because a player needs that. I said it was a matter of time and hopefully he shall continue.
“He is 21 and he has only played two seasons for PSV. I have confidence in him.”
Red for the day c’mon Munster.
Munster getting destroyed. Catastrophic few days. Losing their best player to France and an embarrassing defeat today.
A disastrous season for Foley. It started with the email debacle and got steadily worse. Hanrahan leaving, O’Connell jumping ship – dark, dark times for all concerned with Munster rugby football.
A poor, poor side who are badly coached. Billy Holland and O’Callaghan in the second row next season.
Robson, would you kindly f##k off?
Duncan Williams and keatleys kicking will be the downfall of muster
My god keatleys kicking is hopeless
Shock horror
Is it just me or does Zebo seem to be carrying a bit of weight? Not as fast as he should be, and a bit of a gut.
I support Munster 1.5%
Good boy. So clever. Sit down there now and I’ll you some crayons.
Keatley is once again costing us the game with his woeful clearances, not finding touch and thus setting up an already rampant Glasgow attack. Can anyone explain to me 1. how in hell we are letting Hanrahan leave and 2. what the future holds for Munster with this liability in such a pivotal position.
Paul O Connell. Aka-The Limericks Leader.
Munster badly missing two of their three best players in Murray and O’Mahoney.
Also being badly exposed by having such a pedestrian 10-12 partnership. What Foley is doing leaving out Hanrahan is beyond me. As for the province letting their only midfield playmaker leave, that defies logic.
I’d love to see Paulie win on his last Munster appearance, but Glasgow are the better, more entertaining side and they look to be in control
Up the Dubs :)
If that was a casual dig at us, funny guy, you do realize Keats and Felix are Dubs. So thank you for your consideration
Nakarawa is a beast.
Best team in the league has won the title. Well done Glasgow, well deserved.
Nakarawa the beast again.
No liveblog of the FA Cup Final !?
What’s the story with Conway these days?
Poor keatley kicking killing munster. .
Nerves kicking in now but I think we can do this. Mon Munster!
Glasgow are playing the game Leinster played under JS and are causing serious problems for Munster. Not over yet Munster do not give in easily. Would like to see an Irish Province win but at the moment all the rugby is being played by Glasgow.
Munster will be hammered
Earls won’t be on the plane for the WC.
On your basis none of the muster players will be on the plane. Every muster player is having a bad day. Doesn’t mean they won’t be on the plane.
Have a bit of sense please.
Christ. Munster playing some Leinster-style rugby this evening. Get it together, lads.
Come on munster do it for POC
Comprehensively outplayed by a well drilled side looking to play expansive flowing rugby built on powerful forwards a la Leinster 2010-13. Struggled against them then and struggling against Glasgow now. Just don’t have the class of players to play rugby the way Munster won cups.
Heartbroken for Paul as well.
Men against boys.
Hard luck to munster from a leinster man. Good job getting to the final, take it on the chin onwards and upwards
Facccckkkkkk meeee
Nakarawa could make it in the NBA
O’Connell anytime try @14/1.
Surely worth a few quid
Looks like the red team spent the week watching poc tribute videos instead of training. Very poor effort. I think this will force Foley into a few tough decisions and be a better team next year.
Where is it on
sky3 or tg4