Louis van Gaal was a very happy man after Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park today, as the Reds bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Arsenal before the international break.
The result gave United their first win at Goodison Park since 2011, and puts the Reds back into second in the Premier League table, boosting confidence ahead of a long midweek trip to face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
Speaking in the post-match press conference after the game, van Gaal said he was proud of his players after they put in a great performance to secure all three points against the Toffees.
“I am very happy with the response of my players and I am very proud of the performance. I think it was an excellent performance and maybe it is the start of many, many victories,” he said.
It was one of our best performances [this season] and it had to be because Everton are a very good side.
van Gaal also singled out Ander Herrera for praise, as the Spaniard put in a man of the match performance today. “If I have to mention one name, it would be Herrera. He played well and made a big contribution to our goals,” the Dutchman said.
I am a very happy coach because I have seen a lot of good individual players in my team. That also gives confidence for the matches against CSKA Moscow and Manchester City.
The United manager also clarified his substitution of Juan Mata at half-time for Jesse Lingard, stating that it was purely for tactical reasons.
“That was tactical”, he said. “I was very happy, I have congratulated him [Lingard] with a good performance in the second half. He didn’t lose any balls, one pass to Wayne Rooney maybe, but that is the only pass I can remember, and he did his defensive work very well so I am very pleased with his performance.”
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