• Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United

Van Gaal: United have a problem

ESPN staff
November 2, 2014
ESPN FC's Craig Burley discusses the effect of Chris Smalling's red card in the Manchester derby

Louis van Gaal says Manchester United "have a problem" after defeat to rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

Sergio Aguero's winner midway through the second half was enough to earn all three points at the Etihad and leaves United languishing in ninth place having taken just 13 points in the Van Gaal's opening 10 Premier League games in charge.

Van Gaal: There was no spitting

Fellaini was angered by Aguero © Getty Images
  • Louis van Gaal denied Marouane Fellaini was guilty of spitting at Sergio Aguero in the Manchester derby.
  • Aguero went over following a tussle with Fellaini in the area and the Belgian leaned over his opponent to express his anger at what he perceived as a dive. Replays showed saliva leave Fellaini's mouth, with social media commentators accusing Fellaini of spitting.
  • But Van Gaal said: "I have heard that it is a question on social media but already the TV has shown that he is shouting and sometimes when you shout there's a little bit of saliva [that comes out] with it. I don't think that he's a spitting figure."

In his post-match interview, Van Gaal admitted he was pleased with United's performance but promised to get to the root of the problem.

"I told the boys their willpower and labour were unbelievable and they can be very proud," he said. "The fans know the boys are willing to give everything for the shirt of the club - but at the end of the game, we have zero points. In this sport, it is always the goals that count.

"We were so close in spite of playing with ten men. We had more chances [after the red card] than in the first half. We are close but not close enough. We have 13 points out of 10 matches and Chelsea have a lot more, as do Manchester City so we have a problem.

"We need to improve and prove that we are not close but better. We will improve, that I promise."

United captain Wayne Rooney, who was making his return to action after a three-match suspension, agreed that progress is being made.

"The pace of us was causing them problems," he said. "You could see they started panicking at the end, kicking the ball long. We just couldn't get that moment in the final third to get the equaliser.

"You can see every week we are getting better and we're not far away from being back up there and being a very good team. It won't be long before we are."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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