After enduring a frustrating afternoon against Newcastle United on Saturday, Louis van Gaal has reiterated that there is no urgent need for attacking reinforcements.
Manchester United were thwarted by a returning Steve McClaren and his Magpies side were resilient throughout and fully merited a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Tim Krul was in inspirational form and denied Javier Hernandez late on while Chris Smalling hit the post in the dying seconds, reason enough why Van Gaal is refusing to press the panic button.
“We were three times the best team,” was the Dutchman’s assessment of United’s first three league fixtures of the season which have yielded just two goals.
“I am satisfied with the performance and not with the result.
“We were unlucky with rewarding ourselves because we have created a lot of chances.”
However Wayne Rooney’s below-par performances have dominated the headlines in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
Rooney seemed to have ended his much debated goal drought only to be denied by a controversial offside call after four minutes.
The Manchester United captain has not scored in his last ten games, a tally which amasses to 858 minutes, his worst return since 2007.
However, when asked about his side’s lack of goals and a possible transfer quest before the window closes on September 1, Van Gaal believes the goals will start to flow for Rooney and his side imminently.
“I have said already because, as a fan, you have to see how we have played this match. The performance was good and the fans were always behind the players.
“It was a fantastic match to watch but we were unlucky. We have to score our chances and, in the next match, we shall score maybe a goal out of three chances and that is better.
“The performance today was better though.”
The United’s faithful’s mood wouldn’t have improved after Pedro Rodriguez’s influential debut for Chelsea on Sunday, with Pedro scoring and assisting for his new side in a vital 3-2 victory away at West Bromwich Albion.
Away from domestic duties United travel to Belgium on Wednesday looking to secure their place in the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday.
With Club Brugge trailing 3-1, the Belgians will have to take risks and that could well play into the Red Devils’ hands and present another opportunity for United’s captain to get off the mark.
Main image courtesy of FIFATV via YouTube, with thanks.
