Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1: Louis van Gaal describes performance as 'maybe our best match of the season'

United needed a late goal from Ashley Young

Simon Rice
Thursday 05 March 2015 00:45 GMT
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Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United replaces Angel Di Maria
Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United replaces Angel Di Maria

Louis van Gaal described Manchester United's performance in their narrow win over Newcastle United as "maybe our best match of the season".

The visitors to St James' Park needed an 89th minute goal from Ashley Young to secure all three points after a performance some might desribe as turgid.

The Red Devils failed to register a single shot on target in the first half and only improved marginally in the second. Record signing Angel Di Maria was also yet again a cause for concern, coming off for Adnan Januzaj during the second period having failed to make an impact.

However Van Gaal seemed delighted with what he had seen.

"I think we have dominated for 90 minutes, maybe our best match of the season, especially in an away match we deserved the victory," he told BT Sport.

"We didn't reward ourselves in the first half. It was a narrow escape because our rivals have won also so it's a rat race.

"We have created a lot of chances and could have scored much earlier. They also made two big chances and I think David de Gea rescued us at that time."

United stayed fourth in the table and remain on course for a Champions league place despite another unconvincing performance and they were indebted to Wayne Rooney's persistence for pressurising Krul into the mistake which led their goal.

"It was a crazy run from Wayne Rooney, a lost ball, that shows the fighting spirit in this team," Van Gaal said.

"We want to win. All my changes were to win, not to hold the result."

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