Van Gaal & Smalling react to Spurs win
LOUIS van Gaal believes Manchester United deserved to beat Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League opener which he described as “a very difficult game.”
A Kyle Walker own goal midway through the first half gave United a winning start to the 2015-16 season at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman, though, seemed largely unimpressed with his side’s display, 10 days after their final pre-season friendly against Paris St-Germain in Chicago.
“The result is the most important thing and a clean sheet is important too,” van Gaal told MUTV.
“It was a very difficult game because it was two teams who wanted to press so every player was on the ball for a small amount of time.
“We didn't keep the ball too much but in transitions we created a few chances.”
Van Gaal, who celebrated his 64th birthday on Saturday, also praised the performances of his new signings with all five summer recruits featuring against Spurs at some stage.
“It is always difficult because it is the first time they have played at Old Trafford and the fans are very supporting,” he added.
“I told Memphis [Depay] that he doesn't have to play with too much eagerness and passion and that applies to the whole team.”
The United boss also reserved special praise for right-back Matteo Darmian, with the Italian a solid performer both defensively and offensively on his league debut.
“I liked the performance of Darmian. He played a good match in the Spurs half and when the opponents had the ball and didn’t lose the ball much.
“He was the best performer out of the new signings for us.”
Van Gaal hailed the contribution of debutant keeper Sergio Romero, who made two key saves to deny Christian Eriksen and his own defender Chris Smalling in the closing stages.
The 28-year-old Argentine international only signed last week on a three-year deal to provide a back-up to David de Gea and trained twice with his new United team-mates this week.
“Romero kept a clean sheet and he made some wonderful saving of the ball but not in building up situations,” van Gaal told BT Sport.
“But that is understandable because he didn't play with the boys [during pre-season] and he is only with us for a week so it is a process that we have to wait for.
He added in his press conference: “Sergio saved us twice, that’s also good, but we have to improve his building up.
“That’s also logical because we decided as staff on Wednesday and with David on Thursday that he could not play.
“So he [Sergio Romero] has only trained two days with his players. You always train with the group who will play to intensify the preparation so it was not amazing but it was logical that his building up was not as good.”
Van Gaal said he was powerless in resolving the ongoing transfer saga involving de Gea, who continues to be heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, but hopes the Spaniard will stay at United.
“I cannot say [when it will be resolved] because I am not the most important part. The most important part is the player and of course the club who wants to buy him,” he said.
“He is our best player for three years chosen by the fans so we cannot let him go so easily. We have to pay a lot of money for all the players we want and we want to sell at the same level.
“We want to keep him of course.”
Positives: The United centre-back and third captain was happy with his side's display in the 1-0 win over Spurs (Picture from BBC Sport)
United defender Chris Smalling spoke of the importance of improving on last season’s start to the Premier League season by kicking off with three points.
The Red Devils claimed just two points from their opening three league matches in August last year.
“It was massive [to start the season with a win],” the 25-year-old England international told MUTV.
“Last year we didn't start well in the first three games and it was an uphill battle but I think it showed with the celebrations at the end how important it was.
“Last year I think we played better (against Swansea on the opening weekend) but lost the game. I think our shape won us the game. It's a step in the right direction.”
Smalling kept Spurs star striker Harry Kane at bay at Old Trafford for the second successive season after United’s 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture in March – and the centre-back enjoyed the battle with his fellow countryman.
“Yes I enjoyed it. I remember our battles from last year so it's good to test yourself against the best as he is a player who is a top talent.”
As was the case during pre-season, the ex-Fulham man was paired with versatile Dutchman Daley Blind in the heart of the United defence for the first time in a competitive game.
“He's an all-round footballer, he's good on the ball and his positioning is very good which is what you need as a centre-back. He slotted in there effortlessly,” Smalling said of his partner.
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