Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United: Louis van Gaal's Pre-Match Presser Quotes
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal delivered the news Red Devils fans were dreading on Friday morning: Michael Carrick won't play again this season.
Van Gaal spoke ahead of United's vital Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, confirming the English midfielder will miss the final three matches of the campaign, per Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph:
"Carrick out for season at Man United
— Mark Ogden (@MOgdenTelegraph) May 8, 2015"
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Carrick hasn't featured since picking up an injury during United's 4-2 win over Manchester City on April 12. He is crucial to the side's ability to control matches, offering top-quality distribution from the centre and an effective shield for the defence. B/R UK tweeted stats from Telegraph Football which read bleakly for United:
Van Gaal told MUTV that Carrick's problem is worse than first feared, as reported by Mark Froggatt of the club's official website: "Carrick is not available, it was more heavy than we thought," said Van Gaal. "We tried everything but now we have to think about next season. He shall not play anymore this season, it's better now to focus for him on next season and being fit to start."
More positively for United, defenders Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw could play some part in Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park:
United have lost their last three Premier League matches—failing to score in each—providing fifth-placed Liverpool with real hope of securing a Champions League place.
The Merseysiders are four points behind after their win over Queens Park Rangers and United's loss to West Bromwich Albion. Liverpool travel to champions Chelsea on Sunday, a side who are yet to drop three points at home this campaign.
Van Gaal isn't worried about United's barren run and suggests Liverpool still have major work to do, as reported by Ryan Grant of the Old Trafford club's website:
"I think we need a little bit of luck and also composure [in front of goal]. That I cannot provide, the players have to do that by themselves. We have the pressure.
Liverpool have to play these matches and have to win them also, but we have to focus on our match. They're at home but I still expect that they'll defend more than attack. They have speed, dribbling qualities and they can finish.
"
United pipped Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain to the signing of PSV Eindhoven starlet Memphis Depay on Thursday, as revealed by Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan, who spoke to talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Jacobs show (h/t Ian Cruise of talkSPORT): "Up until about 48 hours ago he wasn't going to go there. There was a bigger chance he would go to PSG or Liverpool."
Van Gaal explained exactly why he moved quickly to snap up the 21-year-old, per Squawka:
United fans will undoubtedly look forward to seeing the flying forward in action, but their current heroes have a season-defining trio of games to overcome before welcoming Depay to the club.
Palace are also on a three-game losing streak, but they play the dogged, counter-attacking football that United's defence has struggled against this season.
There is very little room to make mistakes. Although Carrick's absence should be classed as a megablow for the side, Van Gaal will be confident his squad can secure the two wins needed to confirm Champions League football, a prize he believes is essential, per the club's social media feed:
Difficult fixtures against second-placed Arsenal and relegation-threatened Hull City—who recently beat Liverpool—await after the Palace test.
Results, rather than performances, are all that matter at this stage of the season, meaning United must simply find a way to secure the win. Failure to do so could land huge financial repercussions for the club and Van Gaal, who will no doubt find it more difficult to attract world-class talent if elite European football isn't gained.
