Coming just two days before Sunday’s Premier League game against Arsenal at Old Trafford, the 5-1 beating of a ring-rusty FC Midtjylland side, Louis van Gaal admitted his side would be spending their time recovering rather than training.
Van Gaal spoke of the confidence that his side had gained beating modest opposition in Shrewsbury Town and FC Midtjylland this week after a shock defeat in Denmark last week.
He said: “I have never seen the dressing room like this, this evening.
“Not only the players who have played but also the bench and the injured players were all there and laughing and talking with each other.
“It’s a challenge for Sunday and a big challenge because we must play within two days but I think the recovery will go better than ever.”
Manchester United may get a boost with the return of David De Gea to the side to face Arsenal although defender Chris Smalling remains a “question mark” for manager Louis Van Gaal and Anthony Martial will need assessment after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up prior to the Midtjylland game last night.
The Dutchman confirmed that Marcos Rojo, who hadn’t played since November’s Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven, was only fit enough for 30 minutes from the bench on Sunday and although he heaped praise on Marcus Rashford he was keen to extol the virtues of other players who contributed against Midtjylland.
He said: “Rojo shall not play. He might come off the bench but I cannot risk him.”
He was more positive about Rashford but kept his cards close to his chest, saying: “When he has recovered I don’t know – this was his first game and it’s not so easy.”
Rashford grasped his chance with both hands following injury, scoring twice in front of the Stretford End in Thursday’s win and will be confident of filling in again for his fellow striker Anthony Martial if was still unfit to face Arsenal on Sunday.
Van Gaal said of Martial’s injury: “It happened only before the match. I have talked with him but I cannot say it’s so heavy as everyone thinks but you never know.”
The Dutchman also singled out unsung hero Morgan Schneiderlin for praise alongside the young players including Rashford that he fielded on the night, saying: “Rashford has to make steps in his process. He’s still a young player like Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Guillermo Varela, Joe Riley – even Morgan Schneiderlin.”
“Nobody talks about Morgan Schneiderlin but he played his best match today by far and I am happy for him also.
“Some players get the spotlight, and some players never get the spotlight – that’s a pity. When you analyse the game then you shall see that Morgan Schneiderlin has had a great game.”
The Dutchman was keen to sound a note of caution that goal-filled wins against modest opposition was not the same as facing one of the Premier League’s title challengers.
Van Gaal referred to Arsenal’s comprehensive beating of United last October when he said: “If you analyse the results of Man Utd – we have only lost one game 3-0. Arsenal are another level.”
EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW TURNS UP NORTH WEST DERBY
United face the prospect of two more games against Liverpool this season after the Reds were drawn against their North West rivals down the East Lancs Road in the Round of 16 of the Europa League. The first leg will be played at Anfield on Thursday March 10 while the return leg will be at Old Trafford on Thursday March 17.
It will be the first time United have ever faced Liverpool in European competition and tickets for the Old Trafford clash are likely to be in greater demand than for the FC Midtjylland game.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will have something to prove against the Reds after Louis Van Gaal’s side completed the league double against them at Anfield in January giving Van Gaal four wins in four as United boss against their Merseyside rivals.
Spurs were drawn against tournament favourites Borussia Dortmund while Gary Neville’s Valencia were drawn against La Liga rivals Athletic Bilbao.