SUNDERLAND: Louis van Gaal has demanded an immediate improvement from Manchester United after admitting their start to the season has not been good enough.
They avoided matching their worst opening sequence to a Premier League campaign since 1992 by earning a point with an unconvincing display in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
But after the first-day defeat at home to Swansea, the new Old Trafford manager was left with much to ponder, his assertion that his side need a miracle to win the title this season looking increasingly accurate.
He revealed confidence was low after seeing Juan Mata’s goal at the Stadium of Light on Sunday cancelled out by Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell to leave the former champions five points behind the early pace-setters.
“So much is down to confidence,” said Van Gaal. “In pre-season, our confidence was much better than it is now. We’re working hard to improve and if we win the next match then that confidence will start to come back.”
“The players are disappointed because we thought we would win today [Sunday], and yet we have one point and it’s not good enough for Manchester United.”
Pochettino pleased by Spurs progress
Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham are set for a season to remember after his side swept to the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 demolition of Queens Park Rangers (QPR).
Pochettino’s team produced a scintillating display as Nacer Chadli’s double and strikes from Eric Dier and Emmanuel Adebayor ruined QPR boss Harry Redknapp’s dream of a triumphant return to White Hart Lane.
“I’m pleased because it was the first game in front of our fans and we played wellm,” said Pochettino. “We have an unbelievable squad, so if we play together we can achieve something.
“The most important thing is to try to develop our style and philosophy. Today the team showed our basis. We showed we play like a team.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2014.
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