Manchester United will face QPR on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League keen to bounce back from their shock 1-0 defeat against Southampton last week at Old Trafford. Ahead of the match, Louis van Gaal spoke about injuries, January Transfer window and other issues.
The big news from United camp is that striker Robin van Persie could miss out tomorrow’s match due to a minor injury.
Louis van Gaal has confirmed to #MUTV that Robin van Persie is a doubt for tomorrow’s match at QPR due to a minor injury. #mufc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 16, 2015
The Dutch striker’s absence could open the door for Radamel Falcao, who was left out of the squad by the manager. Falcao was omitted from the squad due to tactical reasons, a decision that prompted his agent to criticise the manager’s decision.
“When we buy a player he has to be better than the ones we have, and that is a difficult job,” van Gaal tells reporters on transfers. #mufc — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 16, 2015
“I don’t think we will be active (in Jan) as the players we want aren’t available,” – Van Gaal. Also says Falcao must prove himself.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) January 16, 2015
Manchester United, with the money they have spent in the summer, would be looking for a minimum top four finish, and although the competition this season is fierce, especially with Southampton continuing to surprise everyone, but Van Gaal is confident they United will clinch the Champions League spot at the end of the season.
Van Gaal said that although the primary aim for the club was to challenge for the title but having failed to register wins against Aston Villa and Southampton, the slim chances for a potential title challenge has all but evaporated. United have shifted their attention to qualifying for the Champions League instead.
Van Gaal on finishing in the top four: “We have to fight for it – a lot of other teams have the same goal. Of course, I think we can do it.” — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 16, 2015
More on Falcao. Van Gaal says he is not bothered with the financial aspect of the deal and says Falcao, like any other player must prove himself.
“He has to prove himself,” said Van Gaal.
“That we have agreed. Because of that, we have made this deal and everything is clear.”
“It is not the end of the year so he has a chance to do that,” he adds.
“If a player costs £95m or £5,000, it is not any different for me. But it’s difficult for you to understand, I believe.
“You have to prove yourself and a player of £95m has to prove himself also. If I am not like that, then maybe the player has no motivation, so I have to be like that.”
Van Gaal added that he wasn’t happy with Falcao’s training performances and hence he was left out against Southampton.
“For a manager it is the quality of the training sessions, the quality of the performances in matches, then he [the manager] has to compare with other players,” said Van Gaal.
“That I have already explained after the match against Southampton.”
Manchester United have been linked with several top players in the media, but it seems like there won’t be too many activities in January. It remains to be seen whether one or two players, like Adnan Januzaj, could go out elsewhere on loan to get regular games under his belt.
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