Van Gaal: Media Over-react To Manchester United Defeats

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says it is the media coverage of his team that is inconsistent rather than the club's performances.

And Van Gaal added that he thinks the impact and significance of any United losses are generally overplayed.

It has been a difficult season so far for United, who crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage and are fifth in the Premier League, six points adrift of the top four.

However, following Thursday's 5-1 thrashing of FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, United are in good heart ahead of the visit of old rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

A win there would be United's third in a row across all competitions, just the fourth time this season they would have accomplished the feat, but Van Gaal denied that the statistic highlighted an inconsistent campaign.

"It's football, you can win, lose or draw," he said. "The media is inconsistent. That's different, it is the media.

"Yeah, Sunderland we didn't lose because of the media, that is true. But the media makes it bigger than it is. Always. Five-one Manchester City lost against Chelsea, and what was then?"

The City team which suffered that heavy defeat in the FA Cup was weakened by the decision to rest first-teamers ahead of a Champions League tie but Van Gaal pointed out that he is battling with a long injury list himself.

"Oh, is that the second [Man City] team?" he asked. "And what am I doing now then? It is unbelievable. It's the same, but we don't lose with such a difference.

"You have to analyse the results of Manchester United. We have only lost one game [heavily], 3-0 to Arsenal, and they're on another level, in my opinion."

Van Gaal added that the United injury crisis is gradually easing somewhat.

"I am very happy with [Marcos] Rojo," said Van Gaal. "That he played 10 or 15 minutes [off the bench on Thursday], and how he showed already his form and shape. He was very good, I think.

"I take also a risk to do that but I think I have to do that now with 15 minutes and then 30 minutes, like that. I hope we can build him up.

"Also [Antonio] Valencia and [Marouane] Fellaini are coming back, and in the month of March a lot of players are coming back, and then we have a strong selection again.

"Therefore, this match is very important, I think, for a lot of players.

"I expect [goalkeeper David de Gea to be fit] because I saw already that he was today [Friday]. Chris [Smalling] is a question mark with his shoulder but you never know."

Credit: Skysports.com