Please o, personally I really do enjoy the Christmas premier games o, but I get the fact that the players and coaches need to be with families for the festive season. And here comes the question, are for the premier league to go on break? Or for them to continue with the Christmas fixture? Read what Mr Van Gaal told reporters after the cut.
The Manchester club will also play three Premier League games in the space of eight days over Christmas - Aston Villa (December 20), Newcastle United (December 26) and Tottenham (December 28).
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman was scathing of the heavy fixture list last week, labelling it as "crazy".
And while the situation is far from ideal for Van Gaal and his players, the 63-year-old Dutchman is willing to adapt to life in England's top flight.
"I cannot change it, I don't think it is good for the players that they play within two days of a match," said Van Gaal.
"December shall be like that, and we have also family. I also have a wife, and kids and grandchildren and I cannot see them at Christmas.
"But, I want to work in the Premier League so I have to adapt and I shall adapt."
Despite failing to qualify for the Champions League this season, the Dutch coach doubts a lack of continental fixtures will aid United in a potential title challenge.
When asked whether the extra rest would beneift his squad, he answered: "No, I don’t think so. It depends on the injuries and the other clubs are also used to playing in the Champions League.
“You cannot say Chelsea are not used to playing in the Champions League, the Premier League, the League Cup and the FA Cup. They are used to that and they have all those selections for that.
“When you are challenged during the whole season, you become better and we have to train to become better. It’s a longer way to improve than if you play games against top opponents.”
United - fourth in the table - host Stoke after winning three straight games.
No comments:
Post a Comment