Louis van Gaal gives opinion after Manchester United defeat Arsenal

Manchester United starting XI
Manchester United starting XI

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hailed his players and said it was a fantastic result after the Red Devils defeated Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday.

An own goal from Kieran Gibbs followed by Wayne Rooney’s second half goal saw the 20-times English champions take a two goal lead. However, Olivier Giroud pulled one back for the Gunners in the stoppage time, but it was not sufficient for the North London club to avoid a defeat.

United were without several first team players as Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Rafael all missed due to injuries. In addition to this, Luke Shaw was replaced early in the game.

“It was a fantastic result. We had a lot of injuries and in spite of that we have won. In an away match, it is very difficult. Arsenal are a very good team, an attacking team and that I knew in advance,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports.

“That is why I chose this strategy and at the end I can laugh, but at the same time, you can imagine that they could have scored one of the four of five chances in the first half and then maybe this would have been another game.”

“We have to wait and see. Of course, it is the first away victory so the players were very excited in the dressing room but, okay, it is only one victory.”

“We have to confirm that with victories in the next two games that we play at home. Then we can say, okay, we have the spirit now and we will go looking at upstairs and not downstairs,” United manager said.

The latest win has seen United move to the fourth position in the league table as they have 19 points after 12 matches.

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