Wednesday 9 December 2015 12:31, UK
Louis van Gaal says Man Utd are making good progress under his reign, despite Tuesday's embarrassing Champions League exit.
United failed to get out of the group stages for just the fourth time thanks to their 3-2 defeat in Wolfsburg on Tuesday.
PSV Eindhoven's 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow on the same night meant United tumbled out of the continent's elite competition for an unwanted reunion with the Europa League.
Yet despite failing to get through a relatively easy group - and failing to win over disgruntled supporters - Van Gaal insisted United were on the right track with him at the helm.
"At the moment, I cannot defend myself because we are out of the Champions League," the United manager said. "Every word that I say is the wrong word.
"But when you see the facts, we went further in the Capital One Cup (this season), qualified for the Champions League group stage, we have played all these matches and are still in a very good position in the league.
"The facts say we are better than last year. That's my answer because I can only give facts. I'm also disappointed that we are out of the Champions League."
Despite their well-publicised recent struggles in front of goal, United have prided themselves on their defensive surety.
However, on two occasions at the Volkswagen Arena, United failed to build on scoring their two goals as they conceded a response from Wolfsburg within minutes.
Van Gaal was left perplexed by his team's sudden change on emphasis, but he refused to lay into his players, adding: "It was a crazy match.
"We didn't score many goals before and in an away match, you score two goals - maybe three, but one was cancelled out.
"But you two times give away a goal within two minutes of scoring... that's difficult to understand when you defend so well normally.
"We were not so lucky in a match today with the decisions of the referee, but also in the first match we were lucky with the decision of that referee.
"When the group is tight, those kind of decisions can decide whether you go through or not.
"This was a tight group so I am not agreeing with any opinion that this was an easy group."
Van Gaal felt the fact that he had seven first-team players out injured did not help.
The Dutchman's injury problems worsened further on Tuesday when Chris Smalling hobbled through the final minutes and Matteo Darmian came off injured in the first half.
"We have to play the match with a lot of injuries and also the last 15-20 minutes, we had to play with 10 players... you have to analyse that also," he said.
Van Gaal admits it will be underwhelming to see his team play the rest of the season in the Europa League.
He added: "I've said to the players, now it's over in the Champions League.
"You cannot show your qualities any more on the highest podium.
"It's a pity but we have a lot to fight for - the FA Cup and the Premier League."
