Louis van Gaal hails 'brilliant' Manchester United after Stoke win
Wednesday 3 February 2016 10:33, UK
Louis van Gaal hailed his Manchester United players after they took a step back on the road to recovery with a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Stoke on Tuesday.
First-half goals from Jesse Lingard and the impressive Anthony Martial confirmed United's dominance before Wayne Rooney wrapped a much-needed victory with the hosts' third eight minutes after the break.
"It was a great performance," Van Gaal told Sky Sports. "In the first half, we created attacks, fantastic goals.
"We created more chances above that. In the second half we controlled the game. We scored the third goal. It was a very good game.
"In 2016 we have only lost against Southampton, in the last minute. We lost against Southampton at home, that can never be, in my opinion. At home you have to win.
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"Maybe we have more confidence [now] - I cannot say [for sure that] now we have more confidence.
"Against Derby County we played very well, also like this evening. Three goals in a row. I hope it gives us a lot of motivation to continue."
Tuesday's victory saw United keep pace with the top-four clubs in the Premier League, ensuring they remained five points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Stoke struggled to cope with United's pace on the break at Old Trafford as a youthful side tormented an injury-plagued Potters backline.
And Van Gaal was pleased with his side's exuberant attack, adding: "I'm always pleased when youngsters are doing that and showing themselves.
"It's Cameron Borthwick-Jackson's birthday, he had a fantastic assist, and also he could have had another. I'm happy for him.
"And also Man United, because we have a lot of problems in the full-back positions. I'm very happy [Matteo] Darmian could play again, and you see the result is better."
Asked to comment on Martial's superb goal, the Dutchman said: "Great goal. From the building up until the end of the goal it was a superb goal.
"I'm very happy. You can see the team is scoring the goal and not only the player."
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