• MK Dons 4-0 Manchester United

Humiliated United players 'did their best'

ESPN staff
August 27, 2014
United confirm Di Maria deal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has defended his players despite watching them collapse to MK Dons in one of the most humiliating nights in the club's history.

Van Gaal's side suffered an embarrassing night in Buckinghamshire as they were hammered 4-0 at stadium:mk following a disastrous defensive performance. It marks the first time United have conceded four goals to a lower league side in the League Cup and is also their first loss at the second round stage since 1995.

United sign Di Maria on five-year deal

  • It wasn't all doom and gloom for Manchester United fans on Tuesday as, minutes before kick-off at stadium:mk, the club announced they had completed a £59.7m deal for Angel Di Maria, with the winger signing a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
  • Read the full story here
  • However, in an open letter to Real Madrid fans, Di Maria sensationally claimed that he never wanted to leave Bernabeu.
  • Read the story here

Dutchman Van Gaal sent out a team mixed of fringe and youth players, but said after the defeat that he did not regret his decision to do so - and that they had tried their best.

"You have to analyse the problem and I've done that," Van Gaal told Sky Sports. "We have nine injuries and had a very young team. I have seen them trying to do their utmost best so you cannot expect more from players.

"Fans have to believe in our philosophy, we are building a team which we cannot make in one month or even one year. It's very disappointing but I hope they maintain their confidence in our club.

"We know exactly what we are doing. We have lost in the Capital One Cup, and so tonight has cost us the chance of a trophy, and that is disappointing."

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