Louis van Gaal says dominant Manchester United unlucky to lose 2-1 to Swansea

Louis van Gaal insisted Manchester United were ‘unlucky’ to lose 2-1 to Swansea after dominating the game at the Liberty Stadium.

Ander Herrera gave United the lead in the 28th minute but Ki Sung-yueng levelled just two minutes later and Bafetimbi Gomis completed the turnaround in the second half.

The defeat is only United’s second since November and sees them slip down to fourth in the Premier League

“We were unlucky, we have dominated for 90 minutes and we didn’t score from a lot of chances,” van Gaal told Sky Sports.

Possession is good but out of possession your purpose is to score goals, we have created many chances and we have to score

“Swansea were very effective in the second half because they had a chance in the first minute of the second half then no more chances, only the shot which was deflected for the goal.

“Possession is good but out of possession your purpose is to score goals. We have created many chances and we have to score.”

Marcos Rojo headed over the bar from close range in the second half and Robin van Persie - who left the Liberty on crutches after taking a knock late on - also hit the side netting as United were unable to find a way through.

“There is a law in football that if you don’t score then the opponent will,” said van Gaal. “The disappointment is much bigger because we could have won today.”

Asked about the partnership between Wayne Rooney and van Persie, the United manager said: “When you don’t score from so many chances we were not effective, you have to see which players are not effective. You can see that in the slow motion replays.”

On the top-four chase, a bullish van Gaal added: "It is amazing we have lost and we have lost only to Southampton in 19 games before this.

"You have to pick yourself up and continue."