Louis van Gaal says the international break has been agonising following Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal a fortnight ago.
United face Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow afternoon and will be looking to return to winning ways following a dismal display at the Emirates Stadium last time out.
The international break has seen the majority of the Red Devils squad represent their countries and Van Gaal says it has been difficult having to wait for the Premier League to return.
“Two weeks is awful when you have such a result,” the Dutchman said.
“These are awful weeks because you are thinking about how it happened and you cannot manage it with your players.
“They are flying out, and especially after the last game because we played on a Sunday. They flew directly after the match.”
Defeat at the Emirates saw United slip from top of the table to third and Van Gaal admits everyone at the club needs to start behaving like champions if they are to succeed, not just the players.
“We are always evaluating ourselves. We cannot accept that. Not just me. Not only my members of staff, but the players cannot accept it from each other,” he said.
“We want to be the champions so you have to behave like champions, to improve yourself to be champions in the future.
“It is not only the players it is the staff and my cook Mike because he has a big influence on the atmosphere in the canteen. A lot of people are always important in this.”
Goodison Park has not been a happy hunting ground for United in recent years with the Red Devils winning just one of the last seven meetings away to Everton.
Ashley Young has been ruled out with a calf injury but Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are both fit to play after missing the England internationals.
Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo are available but are unlikely to feature for the full 90 minutes.
Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
