Van Gaal: Early Goal Was Key Against Stoke

Louis van Gaal was understandably delighted after seeing his Manchester United side romp to a convincing 3-0 win over Stoke City in the Barclays Premier League. Here's what he had to say to MUTV and the media after the game...

A HAPPY COACH
"Yes, I am a happy coach. When you see how we created the goals, with fantastic play building up from the back and finishing - that’s what I like. In the second half we controlled the game and did not give any chances to Stoke City which is unbelievable because Stoke have made it very difficult for a lot of teams."

EARLY GOAL WAS KEY
"Michael Carrick said to me what a difference a first-half goal makes because you play with much more confidence and you can do much more. I believe that was the difference. We scored two goals in the first half and it was an easier game than I expected."

SUPERB TEAM GOAL
"I always like team goals and the second one was a team goal, building up from the back and then switching the play to the other side and then a finish like that, it was fantastic. I also liked the first goal because it was also a team goal – a cross from [Cameron] Borthwick-Jackson on his birthday, an assist and then Jesse [Lingard] coming in from the other side. I am very happy."

MARTIAL IMPRESSING
"It is very much surprising when you are 19, now he is 20, and you come from the French league to the Premier League and you can do this when you are 19 years or 20 years old. You have a lot of potential to give then still."

MATA MAKING HIS MARK IN THE MIDDLE
“He participated in all three goals, that’s also what I like to see. When he’s playing how he is playing now, then the chance is big [for him to feature centrally more often]. Every player has to do it every week, even my captain has to do that because everyone has forgotten that he was a substitute against Stoke away. It’s always the same with me, you have to prove it in every game and training session, and then you play. But when Mata plays like this, I cannot say to him ‘go to the bench’."

ROONEY CLOSER TO SIR BOBBY CHARLTON'S GOAL TALLY
"I hope he gets the record because when he scores we win."

TURNING POINT FOR SCORING GOALS?
"It could be a turning point but you never know. It’s better to score goals like this and better for the manager on the bench because I could change players to give others some minutes."

GOOD START TO A BUSY FEBRUARY
"It’s fantastic. I think 2016 is a year we have started very well."