“The goal is the most important thing in football” – Van Gaal throws his players under the bus

Louis van Gaal says Manchester United just need a bit of luck, and that other teams are getting lucky against them.

United crashed out of the Capital One Cup after failing to score for 120 minutes against Championship side Middlesbrough, then scoring just one of their four penalty attempts in a shoot-out. The Premier League side were ponderous and predictable for long spells and reserved their best football for a frantic finale that had both sides threatening to win the tie outright. Van Gaal made nine changes from his side that failed to find the net against Manchester City, on Sunday, but was forced to bring on the likes of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial. "When you are so close - so many chances we have created, especially in the second half and extra time - and cannot finish, you have to finish. The goal is the most important thing in football." https://youtu.be/W12o4SsOslo As for the penalties, the Dutchman directed the blame at his high profile stars. "It is more like the casino, red or black," he told the BBC. "We trained yesterday on penalties, but it is like that. I cannot take them." If only you could Louis. If only you could.