---
title: "van Gaal: “We are on schedule”"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/10/21/van-gaal-schedule/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd Match Reports"
published: "2015-10-21T22:41:46Z"
modified: "2015-10-21T22:41:46Z"
---

# van Gaal: “We are on schedule”

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United are “on schedule” to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League after tonight’s 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow.

Ivorian striker Seydou Doumbia gave the Army Men the lead in the 15th minute, but Anthony Martial’s equaliser gave the Reds a share of the spoils in freezing conditions at the Arena Khimki.

And in his post-match conference, the United manager believed that the draw was a fair result tonight.

![Epsilon/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2015/10/4936393221.jpg)

> I knew in advance that it would be a very difficult game because CSKA are very well organised and compact,” he said.
>
> They also had the present of a penalty from Martial, so it was more difficult for us, because they could play more compact.
>
> We could not play at a high tempo, it was too slow in the first half. We had to improve at switching from side to side and we did that. We could have won but a draw was deserved.

van Gaal refused to blame Martial for giving away the penalty leading to CSKA’s goal, instead praising the 19-year old character’s in bouncing back from his mistake.

> Martial is a human being. He reacted and it’s a stupid reaction, but sometimes these things happen.
>
> He said it’s the first time it has happened to him, that he gives away a penalty. But I was very happy with his performance.

![Epsilon/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2015/10/4936378381.jpg)

Despite the result, the Dutchman believes that the Reds are on track to qualify for the knockout stages, with two home games at Old Trafford still to come.

> We are now on schedule after the PSV Eindhoven defeat. Now we have two home matches and we are very strong at home.
>
> I hope we can win these games so we are qualified or nearly qualified, but we also have a game away to Wolfsburg.