Luis Suarez or Sergio Aguero would score at Manchester United - Louis van Gaal hits out at strikers

The Dutchman watched his side be held to a 0-0 at Old Trafford draw by West Ham on Saturday

Simon Rice
Sunday 06 December 2015 11:52 GMT
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Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial (GETTY IMAGES)

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Louis van Gaal appeared to criticise his strike force following Manchester United's draw with West Ham, suggesting others would be capable of finishing the chances his team have spurned.

His comments came after the goalless draw at Old Trafford that meant United failed to take the opportunity to move above title rivals Manchester City in the table.

It was the fifth goalless game in United's last nine outings and left fans booing their team from the field at the Theatre of Dreams.

Van Gaal appeared to put the blame on his forwards after a match that saw 21 shots but only one on target.

"The question is would Luis Suarez or Sergio Aguero score if they were here?" Van Gaal told BBC Radio Manchester.

"That is a question mark. You never know. I think they would, though."

With skipper Wayne Rooney out injured, Van Gaal started summer signing Anthony Martial up front with youngster Jesse Lingard on the left, Marouane Fellaini central and Juan Mata on the right. Memphis Depay made an appearance from the bench.

"We've created enough chances to score, so that was not the problem," Van Gaal added.

Elaborating on his side's performance, in which Fellaini was culpable of missing the best chance of the match, the Dutchman said: "The most important thing is you dominate, create and you finish. Football is about scoring goals. The first two basic aspects of football we have done.

"When you don't finish from a metre in front of an empty goal, you cannot say anything more. You have to finish and that's the only problem we have. We played very well especially in the second half - but you have to finish.

"The goals are coming. That is my strong belief."

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