Manchester United Confidence 'Smashed' After Defeat - Louis Van Gaal
New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said his players' confidence would be "smashed" after the worst possible start to...
http://www.africaeagle.com/2014/08/manchester-united-confidence-smashed.html
New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said his players' confidence would be "smashed" after the worst possible start to his reign at Old Trafford.
United, who won six friendlies under Van Gaal in pre-season, began their Premier League campaign with a shock 2-1 home defeat by Swansea.
Van Gaal said: "When you have preparation, win everything, then lose your first match, it cannot be worse.
"We have built up a lot of confidence. It will be smashed because of this."
Van Gaal's pre-season record
WIN 7-0 v LA Galaxy
WIN 3-2 AS Roma
DRAW 0-0 Inter Milan (United win 5-3 on penalties)
WIN 3-1 Real Madrid
WIN 3-1 Liverpool
WIN 2-1 Valencia
Swansea's victory was their first in their history in the league at Old Trafford, and saw United lose at home on the opening day of the season for the first time in 42 years, since Ipswich beat them 3-2 in 1972.
It was a defeat and performance reminiscent of United's struggles at home last season, when they lost seven league matches under David Moyes and were beaten by the Swans in the FA Cup.
On top of United's failure to strengthen their squad significantly since Van Gaal's arrival in July, their list of injured or unfit players meant he gave debuts to two academy graduates - Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard.
Source: BBC Sports
United, who won six friendlies under Van Gaal in pre-season, began their Premier League campaign with a shock 2-1 home defeat by Swansea.
Van Gaal said: "When you have preparation, win everything, then lose your first match, it cannot be worse.
"We have built up a lot of confidence. It will be smashed because of this."
Van Gaal's pre-season record
WIN 7-0 v LA Galaxy
WIN 3-2 AS Roma
DRAW 0-0 Inter Milan (United win 5-3 on penalties)
WIN 3-1 Real Madrid
WIN 3-1 Liverpool
WIN 2-1 Valencia
Swansea's victory was their first in their history in the league at Old Trafford, and saw United lose at home on the opening day of the season for the first time in 42 years, since Ipswich beat them 3-2 in 1972.
It was a defeat and performance reminiscent of United's struggles at home last season, when they lost seven league matches under David Moyes and were beaten by the Swans in the FA Cup.
On top of United's failure to strengthen their squad significantly since Van Gaal's arrival in July, their list of injured or unfit players meant he gave debuts to two academy graduates - Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard.
Source: BBC Sports
