Louis van Gaal admits his Manchester United side underperformed as they edged out Sheffield United 1-0 in the third-round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney’s stoppage time penalty was the difference between the sides after Memphis Depay was brought down in the box by Blades midfielder Dean Hammond.
The Red Devils only registered two shots on target during another lacklustre display leaving Van Gaal frustrated as his team struggled to break down the League One side’s defence.
“We have to do it [create chances] better than this match of course,” said the United boss.
“You have to play more quickly than we did in first half and you have to play with wingers. We didn’t do that in the first half.
“The second half was a little bit better, we created a little bit more but not too much because they were very well organised.
“How many chances did Sheffield United create? Nobody is talking about that, everybody is talking about the fantastic defence of Sheffield United – I don’t think you can do any differently as a player of the League One level.”
United had begun to look like a rejuvenated team in their last two Premier League games against Chelsea and Swansea City but Saturday’s game told an all too familiar story of how they have played for most of this season.
It was the 10th consecutive game at Old Trafford in which United have failed to score in the opening 45 minutes as the Red Devils mustered just two shots in the first half.
A long-range effort from Memphis Depay on 66 minutes was greeted with ironic cheers from the Old Trafford faithful, but Van Gaal says he shares the fans discontent.
“It’s also frustrating for the players and frustrating for the staff because we are seeing this match,” he said.
“We won the game which is the most important thing and I said to the boys before the match the only thing that counts is we are in the fourth round and we did it.”
United return to Premier League action tomorrow night when they travel to face Newcastle United.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been ruled out of the trip to St James’ Park after picking up a knee injury at the weekend but Ashley Young is set to return to the side.
Image courtesy of FIFA TV via YouTube, with thanks.
