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Van Gaal: Results like Aston Villa draw could cost Manchester United the title

The Dutchman says the Red Devils were the better side at Villa Park, and believes the failure to get all three points in this kind of match could prove decisive.

MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Louis van Gaal says he is “very frustrated” and believes his team’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa is the kind of result which can cost a club the Premier League title.

Radamel Falcao’s second-half header cancelled out Christian Benteke’s fine opener, but United could not get a winner despite Gabby Agbonlahor’s red card for a foul on Ashley Young with 25 minutes remaining.

And Van Gaal was clearly disappointed that his side could not emulate rivals Manchester City earlier in the day by finding a way past stubborn opposition.

“When you want to be a part of the title race you have to win these games,” he told reporters.

Asked if this result could cost his side the title, he replied: “Yes, that’s what I mean. I’ve seen Manchester City in the first half against Crystal Palace. They struggle till half-time but at the end it is 3-0 – that’s the difference. We have to win these matches but there is still a long time to go.”

“I am very frustrated and I think the players [are] also because we were the better team and we don’t win, you have to win when you are the better team,” he also told Sky Sports. “We were not aggressive enough in the first half, in the second it was better but I have to say that Aston Villa are very well organised and it’s always difficult to score, but when you allow them to score you know it will be very difficult.

“We did it in the second half better, we were more aggressive, we pressed more in front and that’s why we scored, but you have to score two times and we could not do it. It was very frustrating because it could’ve been seven [wins] in a row.”

Van Gaal also said Villa were perhaps a more difficult proposition after going down to 10 men.

“Yeah because they make the space more narrow, with long balls of course,” he added. “Benteke is very strong and we couldn’t manage that.”

But the Dutchman, who admitted he had not seen enough of Falcao in recent weeks due to his injuries, says he was pleased that the Colombian found the target on his first start since October 5.

“I’m very happy for him because he needs it, and I’m very happy when a striker scores.”

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12 Comments
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    Mute samstheman
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    Mar 18th 2019, 11:00 PM

    It really is people from outside the club who are concerned about his dry spell. 17 goals 7 assists & well in the hunt for the golden boot again

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    Mute Fr Romeo sensini.
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    Mar 19th 2019, 8:51 AM

    @samstheman: his finishing and awareness of players around him recently has been shocking, pressure?

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    Mute Battaz
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    Mar 18th 2019, 11:09 PM

    Even when Salah hits a dry patch the opposition are fixated on him!
    Liverpool are Top of the Premiership, and in the quarter finals of the Champion’s League!
    Slow news day?

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Mar 18th 2019, 11:17 PM

    @Battaz: tbf its not news but for salah to come out of his dry spell( if ya can call it that) would be a massive boost for lfc. While their in a great posistion city still there and augero scoring. Messi/ronaldo scoring for europes big teams.

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    Mute Fred McHugh
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    Mar 18th 2019, 10:25 PM

    Salah is selfish. Always angry and moody when he doesn’t score yet the team are winning.

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Mar 18th 2019, 10:45 PM

    @Fred McHugh: all top strikers/goal scorers have that trait. Its a positive in a goal scorer. Top top player

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    Mute Willy Motley
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    Mar 18th 2019, 10:52 PM

    @Fred McHugh: talking ouv your hoop

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    Mute Aileen Frost
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    Mar 19th 2019, 1:32 AM

    @Fred McHugh: thats what top strikers are …. Not ever happy with what they have . MON DA POOL

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 19th 2019, 4:18 AM

    @Fred McHugh: can only agree with you Frederick. That accidental assist for Mane with the outside of his right foot v Munich was absolute and utter greed. Sell him to West Ham and be off with him

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 19th 2019, 4:19 AM

    @Conor Pocock: left foot…. doh :)

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