Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal remained ambivalent about his team’s performance, as they managed to defeat Everton 1-0 at Old Trafford and keep their Champions League hopes alive.
A 54th minute strike from Anthony Martial helped Manchester United overcome a resolute Everton side at Old Trafford and snatch all three points in a key encounter at the tail end of the season. After the match, manager Louis van Gaal was not very pleased with his team’s performance, but hailed it as a good result nonetheless.
“We didn’t play so well,” said Van Gaal, according to BBC.
“We didn’t create many chances.
“Everton are a very good team, much stronger away than at home, and it was a very tight game. We were the lucky team today.”
The match featured yet another goalless first half at Old Trafford, which has become a feature for Manchester United this season. However, Van Gaal maintains that the fans were entertained despite the low scoring encounters.
“We want to give entertainment for the fans, but the fans were entertained today because of the tension,” he said.
Top four fight to the finish
The win in the Manchester derby really buoyed Manchester United’s top four hopes as it brought them to a point’s difference from their cross-town rivals Manchester City. The win against Everton helped them maintain that one point difference, even after City steamrolled past Bournemouth in their Saturday encounter.
There are just seven games to go this season and it is a battle between the two Manchester clubs for the fourth position, a far cry from their usual top of the table brawls. With the growing certainty that one out of Leicester City, Tottenham andArsenal will win the Premier League title this season, the final Champions League position remains the last thing left for the other clubs to fight for.
Next week Manchester Untied face Tottenham Hotspur, while Manchester City face off against West Bromwich Albion, in what has become must win matches for both sides.
