Van Gaal Reacts To Southampton Defeat

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal spoke to MUTV after his side fell to a 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat to Southampton at Old Trafford. Here's his reaction...

On the match
I think it was a poor performance - two teams who are not creating any chances and the lucky one has won. I had the fear already in advance with every change I did as we became weaker in the defence because [Marouane] Fellaini is a tall guy, [Matteo] Darmian is also a defender and he was out. I had the fear but we don't have to make that kind of foul, I think, and I changed [Cameron] Borthwick-Jackson for more of an attacker because I want to win this kind of even game, even when you are playing poorly. Adnan [Januzaj] could have scored also the equaliser in the last minute. It is not like that. We have lost and I cannot change that.

Lack of confidence
I can only say what I have seen. I think that, after a row of three victories and a draw in 2016, then you have a lot of confidence. That I didn't see today. Also, the expectations are very high and the pressure for the players is also high because of that. Of course, at half-time, I changed Juan Mata and saw, in the first 15 minutes, we were better and the fans were behind the team and cheering for the team. Darmian was injured and then it was gone. It's a pity we didn't continue with our momentum.

The fans' reaction
Of course, I have also seen the match and it was a very difficult match. The two teams were well organised but didn't have the creativity to create chances. The lucky one has won but the fans want to see a winning Manchester United and we could not provide that for them.