Louis Van Gaal Attacks Journalists, Launches Defence of Manchester United

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists there is no cause for panic at Old Trafford in light of the club's recent 5-3 loss to Leicester City, responding to media barbs aimed at his defence.

Last Saturday saw the Red Devils take a 3-1 lead before succumbing to Nigel Pearson's Premier League new boys, earning mass criticism of his fragile back line.

However, Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail quoted the Dutchman's fiery response:

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It’s not a regular occurrence when you see our figures in the Premier League. Except (for) this match, we are defending well, our average is less than one and we scored a lot of goals. I think we are fifth or sixth in terms of goals, I don’t know. I see the difficulty as, more or less, a lot of journalists. I say only that you are looking the other way. Maybe you can listen very carefully. 

[...] When you are 3-1 ahead after 60 minutes you have to win. Then we are two points off second in the table. But because of the loss we are sitting here and you are talking like that and questioning me like that. If we had won this game it was a different story, so you don’t have to make an incident sound as if it is a regular basis. We will overcome and the season lasts more than one competition day.

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United's current record stands at just one win from five league games this season, during which the club have scored nine goals but conceded eight, the majority of those coming at King Power Stadium last weekend.

Ladyman's report confirmed that Chris Smalling picked up an injury in training this week to join Phil Jones and Jonny Evans on the sidelines, while Tyler Blackett is suspended after picking up a red card against Leicester.

According to Sky Sports News, this leaves the club in a position where academy centre-back Tom Thorpe is in contention to start against West Ham on Saturday:

Van Gaal has been vocal regarding the mass of injuries afflicting his squad this term, with defensive absences in particular beginning to take their toll.

The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Netherlands boss admits it's something he's never experienced, and a healthy roster will be essential for any hopes the coach might have for a top-four finish: 

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I have to admit that I’m never in this situation before, so that’s strange, and that is also what I have said in former press conferences. For me it’s difficult to understand, because we are evaluating what we can do in a different way, but you have to train on a certain level because otherwise you can’t play a game. I’ve already said I will adapt to a certain level but I cannot train lower because then you can’t perform in the right way.

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The raft of injuries puts an even greater pressure on the club's new arrivals to perform, with Marcos Rojo needing to adjust to another new line-up for the visit of West Ham on Saturday.

The situation is of course far from ideal, but for a club that spent more than £150 million over the summer, one would like to imagine some new sense of depth has been achieved at Old Trafford.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The Hammers bring no slight threat, either, after putting three past Liverpool in their most recent outing, a 3-1 win over the Reds. Summer signings Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho each made their presences felt for Sam Allardyce's side.

Bad omens aside, though, Van Gaal remains adamant his team can push on and make a success of his maiden term in England's top flight. When asked if his current job was the hardest of his career, he replied:

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At this moment, maybe, but you have to see in a year and not in one week when we have nine injuries and a red card. I don’t think that you can judge the effect. As a manager you already know in advance that it’s a big challenge and this club is in a transition. Now we are in very difficult circumstances again but we can win.

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Radamel Falcao was unable to get on the scoresheet against Leicester, his first start for the Red Devils since arriving on loan this summer, but he did set up Robin van Persie for a beautifully crafted opener.

Along with him, Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera continue to show promise as they adapt to the Premier League, while Daley Blind has created a sense of potential in central midfield.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

All those figures will be more influential in the team's attack, however, and while goals are undoubtedly vital for any season to be deemed a success, the leaking of goals at the back is in dire need of aid.

The departures of aged veterans Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this summer may have been expected to see the injury spells diminish, but achieving a clean bill of health at Old Trafford remains as difficult a task as ever.