Soccer

Van Gaal points to his team’s nine injuries

Manchester United’s humiliating 4-0 defeat came as no surprise to the manager

Millton Keynes Dons’ Antony Kay tussles with Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez during the Capital One Cup Second Round match at Milton Keynes. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Millton Keynes Dons’ Antony Kay tussles with Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez during the Capital One Cup Second Round match at Milton Keynes. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Wed Aug 27 2014 - 10:45

Manchester United’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to MK Dons came as no surprise to Louis van Gaal, who insisted he needs time to turn things around at Old Trafford.

United suffered one of the most embarrassing defeats of their long and proud history on Tuesday night when they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup with ease.

Will Grigg and Benik Afobe scored a brace apiece to send the 20-time English champions crashing out of the competition at the home of the Sky Bet League One outfit, who were only formed 10 years ago.

It was the latest sorry episode in an increasingly worrying debut campaign for the Dutchman, who is without a win in three matches.

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But with so many injuries in a squad already short of quality players, Van Gaal almost seemed to expect a drubbing. “I am not shocked,” the

Manchester United manager said. "Milton Keynes played very well, very aggressively.

“And we had nine injuries. We also had to play within 48 hours so I could not play with the same squad as on Sunday (when United drew at Sunderland).”