Louis van Gaal blames negative opponents for 'boring' Manchester United criticism
The Dutchman's side were much more entertaining in last night's 3-3 draw with Newcastle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Louis van Gaal has blamed blanket defences for Manchester United's uninspiring football.
The Dutchman saw his side score three times and still not win as Newcastle fought back to snatch a 3-3 Barclays Premier League draw at St James' Park on a night when the United boss could hardly claim to have been bored.
However, he insisted his team was able to attack more freely than in recent weeks because the Magpies did the same.
Van Gaal said: "Newcastle was attacking. They wanted to attack, and that is the difference. I am saying that all the time, but you are doubting my words and my vision.
"When you see two teams who want to attack, then you see a game like this. But when you see a match that only one team wants to defend and wastes time and frustrates the opponent..."
United led 2-0 and 3-2 on Tyneside as Wayne Rooney claimed his 10th and 11th goals of the season either side of Jesse Lingard's 37th-minute strike.
Georginio Wijnaldum had kept the home side in it at 2-1 and Aleksandar Mitrovic levelled from the penalty spot with 67 minutes gone before Rooney and Newcastle full-back Paul Dummett both scored inside a riotous final 11 minutes.
Van Gaal said: "We have scored three goals and have one point. I have said in all my press conferences that you have to score one more goal than your opponent, and we didn't do that."
Opposite number Steve McClaren was understandably delighted with a concerted fightback which ended his side's run of four successive 1-0 defeats on a night when the club paraded January signings Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet in front of the fans.
Shelvey had completed his £12million switch from Swansea just a couple of hours before kick-off, and his new boss was delighted to have landed him.
McClaren said: "I couldn't believe it when he was up and we've actually got him. I didn't think they would sell, but we are delighted they have done and we have got him.
"He's a young player who with the Euros coming, he wants to be in that England squad, so he has got a lot to fight for from now until the end of the season. That's got to be of benefit for us."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments