Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal (L) gives instructions to Manchester United’s Dutch defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah during an English Premier League football match against Manchester City on March 20, 2016. PHOTO/FILE.
MANCHESTER, April 21 – Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was happy with the performance of his side against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, but felt they should have won by a more convincing margin.
The Red Devils kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive after clinching a what turned out to be a fairly straightforward 2-0 victory, with Damien Delaney’s fourth-minute own goal gifting the hosts the lead before Matteo Darmian doubled their advantage after the half-time break.
“Yes I was very happy with the performance and I think it was a four or five to zero game,” Van Gaal told MUTV.
“We should have finished it much earlier and scored much more goals. We created a lot of chances and we did not give any chances away – one, maybe, in the first half for Adebayor.”
Darmian was credited with the assist for the opening goal, and added his name to the scoresheet with a stunning strike from edge of the box.
“I was very happy for Matteo [Darmian], two times he was involved in the goals and I have seen it already in the training session,” Van Gaal said.
“He was the top scorer of the day on Monday and he did it again in the match. He shot with his left and right foot, and now he shot for his goal with his left foot.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Everton, Van Gaal made it clear he would not be underestimating the Toffees, even after their 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.
“Of course the semi-final is not nothing,” he added. “I came to England to win titles and now are very close. But first we have to beat Everton and that is not so easy.
“Also when they have lost to Liverpool 4-0, with 10 men it is difficult against Liverpool I think [Ramiero Funes Mori was sent off].”
