Top four fight isn’t finished for van Gaal

Louis van Gaal still believes the title hunt is a “rat race” after Manchester United secured a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, to leapfrog Manchester City in the league table.

The comment came after he was asked about United’s top four ambitions, and while he may be being modest, reserved or trying to make sure his players don’t get complacent, van Gaal is aware that the fight for top four isn’t over yet and anything can happen in football.

An impressive performance yet again at Old Trafford was praised by the manager: “The first half was a good performance”, he said, before lamenting opportunities to really put Villa out of sight, even during that first half: “We need to finish it more, I think”.

He said that the game was bound to be difficult, coming up against a Villa team with “good organisation” – but he was happy with the way the victory came about on the whole.

On Herrera, van Gaal said, “He develops himself more now to a 60 metre midfielder. I like that very much, but he can score also. He has already made seven goals in a season and that’s not bad for a midfielder”. The Spaniard has scored his five league goals, from just five shots on target and van Gaal likes his stamina and defensive contribution alongside this.

When asked about Rooney’s goal, the manager simply replied with a coy “That’s Rooney, eh?” He also praised Angel Di Maria, who have come under regular criticism in recent weeks, adding: “The assist, he was nearly one minute on the pitch, Di Maria, and he gave his 10th assist of the season, so that is not bad”.

Van Gaal opted against focusing on David De Gea’s mistake for Benteke’s goal, and instead branded the effort as “lucky”.

“With the long balls and Benteke and Agbonlahor, it is always difficult to play because you can always give the long ball, so it was always dangerous,” he said following the match. “In the second half, we gave one chance away and the goal… The goal was a lucky goal I think, for them”.

All in all, I think the boss was pleased with his side and knows that they are well and truly focused on finishing in the top four, or even three, heading into next week’s crunch game with Manchester City.