Van Gaal accepts blame as Man United crash

Louis van Gaal accepted responsibility after Manchester
United crashed to a 2-1 loss at home to Swansea City on Saturday
in his first Premier League game as manager.
The 63-year-old Dutchman is bidding to transform United’s
fortunes after a dismal seventh-place finish last season, but his
tenure got off to a similarly disappointing start as Swansea
claimed a first league win at Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal watches from
the dug out during the English Premier League football match
between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford in
Manchester, north west England on August 16, 2014. Swansea
City won the game 2-1. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS
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(AFP) – Louis van Gaal accepted responsibility after Manchester
United crashed to a 2-1 loss at home to Swansea City on Saturday
in his first Premier League game as manager.
The 63-year-old Dutchman is bidding to transform United’s
fortunes after a dismal seventh-place finish last season, but his
tenure got off to a similarly disappointing start as Swansea
claimed a first league win at Old Trafford.
Ki Sung-yueng put Swansea ahead in the 28th minute and
although new United captain Wayne Rooney hooked home a 53rd-
minute equaliser, Gylfi Sigurdsson gave the Welsh side victory
with 18 minutes to play.
“We were very nervous in the first half, made the wrong choices,
and that is a pity. In the second half we never played as a team.
Therefore I’m responsible,” said Van Gaal.
“It is very disappointing that we have lost our first home match.
We didn’t reach the level we can play at.
“That is disappointing because we have done it much better and
when you cannot do it in your first home match that is
disappointing, especially for the fans.”
Van Gaal set his team out in the 3-4-1-2 formation that he had
successfully introduced in pre-season, but Ki’s goal forced him
into a half-time switch.
Nani came on for striker Javier Hernandez, with Ashley Young
moving to left-back, but although Rooney equalised soon after and
then hit the post from a free-kick, United struggled to create
further chances.
“We had more chances than Swansea, but that shall say nothing
about the result,” Van Gaal added.
“It is the goals that count. I thought we would win (at 1-1), but
because we are not playing as a team in the second half, we made
the wrong decisions going forward.
“My players did their utmost best, which I said in the dressing
room, but you also need to play as a team and reach your level.”
With new left-back Luke Shaw sidelined by a hamstring injury,
United had only one close-season signing in their starting XI in the
shape of former Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera.
Injuries obliged Van Gaal to hand competitive debuts to
youngsters Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard, but he dismissed
suggestions that the result would force him to take emergency
action in the transfer market.
“No, because that is a short-term assault. Of course we need
defenders, but I have already said that in former press
conferences,” he told BT Sport.
“You cannot say because of one game that we lost, and all the
others we won, that it is the defence (that is responsible). It’s the
team.”