Van Gaal Doesn't Deserve Criticism for City Quote After Man Utd Draw with Villa

Another manager might have hesitated before referencing Manchester City as the standard Manchester United need to match. Especially after David Moyes was crucified for saying something similar last season.

But not Louis van Gaal. He's confident enough to be as honest as he likes. He'll tell you he's earned that right after successful spells at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. 

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It was after the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford at the end of last season that Moyes, already under enormous pressure, said United should "aspire" to be like their neighbours:

"

I think we've played a very good side and it's the sort of standard and level we need to try and aspire to get ourselves to at this moment in time.

I think we need to play better. We're needing to come up a couple of levels at the moment and we're not quite there.

"

For some fans, it was the final insult. Especially after Moyes had said a week earlier he considered Liverpool the favourites for a game at Old Trafford. There are some things you just don't say.

Van Gaal also mentioned Manchester City after watching his team stutter against Aston Villa on Saturday. It was a game they should have won, especially after playing against 10 men for the final 20 minutes.

The Dutchman pointed to Manchester City as a team who, against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium, had been clinical despite not being at their best. His feeling was United had not been at Villa Park:

"

We dropped two points. We were the better team I think. It's frustrating when you are the better team and you don't win.

When you want to be in the title race, you have to win these games.

I have seen, for example, the first half of Manchester City against Crystal Palace. They could have been behind in the first five or 10 minutes. They struggled until half-time but at the end it is 3-0. That's the difference. You have seen that you have to win these matches and we didn't win.

"

On the face of it, it seems like the comments are very similar. But there's a subtle difference. Van Gaal was comparing two games on one Saturday of the season. Moyes' quote was more general. 

Speaking in March, as the season looked to be drifting to an unsatisfactory end, it sounded more desperate. 

Even after the draw at Villa Park, United are still competing with Manchester City for the Premier League title. Nine months ago, United were nowhere near and, under Moyes, only going backward.

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With Van Gaal in charge, United at least look like they're heading in the right direction. Asked at Villa Park what he could do to help his team match City, he replied: "We have won six matches in a row. I think that's the wrong question."

It was a sharp answer to a question that he felt had missed the point. Had he said it another way, he might have said his United aren't "aspiring" to be City at all. They're just aiming to better their results as they fight it out for the title.

Quotes obtained firsthand.