Van Gaal's Verdict On Win Over CSKA Moscow

Louis van Gaal declared he was both "proud" and "relieved" following Manchester United's 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, which was secured by Wayne Rooney's 79th-minute header in front of a jubilant Stretford End at Old Trafford.

The Reds are now top of Group B after four matches played in the competition and, following the final whistle at Old Trafford, the manager discussed a number of the key talking points at his post-match press conference…

ASSESSMENT OF THE MATCH AND RESULT
“Of course it is a relief because you have seen an attacking Manchester United team creating lots of chances against an organised team. It is always difficult to score goals. We had to wait a long time. We controlled the match for 89 minutes and for one minute we didn’t control it. We could have been defeated again. If they had scored then I would be sitting here very differently. But we deserved, totally, to win so I am relieved but I am also proud. It is not so easy. Also, in the golden years of Manchester United I have read they never won against a Russian team at home. Everybody thinks it is easy but it is not easy. It is not easy for one club to win in the Champions League.”

WAS ROONEY THANKED FOR HIS WINNING GOAL?
“I thank all of my players, not only Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney is always the centre of attention and I always have to answer questions about Wayne Rooney. Wayne is Wayne and he shall always contribute in the game. I am very happy because I put him in the striker position again and he scored. It was a fantastic goal; the preparation was fantastic. The tackle of Marcos Rojo, the pass of Michael Carrick, the cut-back of Jesse Lingard and the header of Wayne Rooney. It was fantastic, I am very happy about the performance of my players but also about the result and the fact that we are top of the group.”

ON DE GEA AND SMALLING DENYING DOUMBIA
“It was the only attack of CSKA Moscow and that was when a player of Manchester United stepped in the wrong way. David De Gea has saved us and then Smalling has saved us, but that is also football - that you are running everything out of your body to prevent goals and it is fantastic to see that Smalling is doing that. Ashley Young was also doing that [behind Smalling] – it was a great sliding tackle.”

ON THE CROWD REACTION TO MARTIAL BEING SUBSTITUTED
“Of course I heard that. That is the opinion of the fans, afterwards they shall not be disappointed with the decision of the manager.”