Soccer

Louis van Gaal to raid under-21s for defensive cover

‘As a manager you know in advance it’s a big challenge . . . but you don’t know in advance the difficult moments’

Tyler Blackett (right) is suspended ahead of West Ham game. Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Jamie Jackson
Thu Sept 25 2014 - 14:17

Louis van Gaal has admitted Manchester United’s plight is the hardest moment of a glittering managerial career. United have only five points from five Premier League games and have won only once, with their last outing the 5-3 defeat at Leicester City where they conceded four unanswered second half goals in 21 minutes.

Van Gaal has nine players injured and a further one unavailable in Tyler Blackett who is suspended. He has a crisis at centre-back because Chris Smalling is injured along with Phil Jones and Jonny Evans. And as Blackett is also unavailable as a left-sided player in the position, Van Gaal confirmed he will have to turn to the under-21 squad for replacements for the home game against West Ham on Saturday.

“As a manager you know in advance it’s a big challenge and the club is in a transition but you don’t know in advance the difficult moments,” he said.

Van Gaal shrugged off any idea there was panic at the club, saying that United just have to accept their situation. Of the injuries he said: “I have to admit I’m never in this situation before so that’s strange.

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“For me it’s difficult to understand because we are evaluating what we can do in a different way but you have to train on a certain level. We have a lot of injuries, nine injuries now, and Blackett suspended. So that means that 10 are off so I have to go to the youth team to pick players.

“The younger players can pick their chances now and that’s also the policy of this club. I have read that differently in the media but it’s like that. They are always ready. They have hunger to play. Manchester United’s youth education has a certain level that can provide that.”

Van Gaal remains confident United can finish third. “When you are 3-1 ahead after 60 minutes you have to win. Then we are two points off second in the table. Because of the loss we are sitting here and you are talking like that and questioning me like that. But if we had won this game it was a different story. We (can) overcome and the season lasts more than one day.”

Of the injuries to Evans and Smalling he added: “Evans is a very difficult thing. His bone is bruised a lot and we have to wait and see and evaluate, but I don’t take risks.”