• Manchester United 1-2 Swansea

Van Gaal: United didn't play as a team

ESPN staff
August 16, 2014
Louis van Gaal oversaw Manchester United's first opening-day defeat at Old Trafford since 1972 © Getty Images
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Louis van Gaal says Manchester United "never played as a team" but takes full responsibility for Swansea's shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

United lost at home on the opening day of the season for the first time since 1972 as the Welsh side snatched all three points thanks to goals from Ki Sung-Yeung and Gylfi Sigurdsson sandwiching a Wayne Rooney overhead kick.

Ins and outs

  • Swansea's 2-1 win at Manchester United further highlighted Louis van Gaal's need to sign defenders.
  • "Of course we need defenders but I have already said in former press conferences," he reiterated."We were disappointing in defence and that is why we lost today."
  • As for outgoing players, Van Gaal revealed that "it is up to the players to decide" their future.
  • He added: "We have given a contract to the players. I will tell them what I think and what I expect from them - I will never tell them they have to go."
  • Before the game, Van Gaal insisted he is not in a rush to sign any more players.

Speaking to BT Sport immediately after the game, Van Gaal revealed that he was not overly pleased with what he saw.

"It is very disappointing that we have lost our first home match," he said. "We didn't reach the level we can play at. That is disappointing because we have done it much better and when you cannot do it in your first home match that is disappointing, especially for the fans.

"We were very nervous in first half, made the wrong choices and that is a pity. In the second half we never played as a team, therefore I'm responsible.

"We had more chances than Swansea but that shall say nothing about the result. It is the goals that count. I thought we would win [at 1-1] but because we are not playing as a team in the second half we made the wrong decisions going forward.

"My players did their utmost best, which I said in the dressing room, but you also need to play as a team and reach your level."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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