Everton vs. Manchester United: Louis van Gaal's Key Comments from Presser

Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal was in reflective mood in his press conference before his side's Premier League trip to Everton on Saturday, promising his team will not repeat the humiliation suffered at the hands of Arsenal before the international break.

Liam Prenderville of the Mirror quoted the Red Devils coach speaking about the defeat in north London and the psychological effect it had on everyone at the club:

"

When you have more than two weeks [to think about it] it is awful when you have such a result.

It has been an awful two weeks because before the last international break we lost against Swansea [City].

It’s not only the players, it’s the staff, and my cook, Mike, because he has a big influence on the atmosphere in the canteen.

So these are awful weeks, because you are constantly thinking about how it happened and you cannot manage it with your players, because that is what you have to do, but all the players were flying out.

"

The manager has demanded a response from his players after the latest setback and given his squad the highest target possible as they look to quickly recover with a win at Goodison Park, per the club's official Twitter account:

Van Gaal also spoke about the availability of his players, saying he will be without Ashley Young, who has a calf injury, and young defender Paddy McNair, who will be on the sidelined for a month, as confirmed by the Manchester Evening News' Stuart Mathieson.

The coach also gave updates on several players coming back to fitness, per the club's official website. He stated Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are both available for the game on Saturday and that Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo have successfully completed rehabilitation for their respective injuries but are unlikely to start against the Toffees. He also said Phil Jones is ready to start after finding his way back to match fitness. 

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

LvG praised young France international striker Anthony Martial, who has made a tremendous impact during the opening weeks of his career at United, winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for September, per BBC Sport.

Van Gaal said of the teenager, per the club's official website:

"

I’m very pleased he’s started so well. It’s also good because most of the fans didn’t know him—now they know him and also a little bit about his qualities and talent. Still, we have to be patient with him. He is still 19 years old and he cannot do that every match. That is also a characteristic of a young player.

"

JUSTIN TALLIS/Getty Images

The manager addressed the tough schedule his team has in the coming weeks, commenting on the strength of Everton against the Old Trafford giants over the years, as quoted by the club's official website:

"

It’s a big challenge because we have to compete in different competitions. Everton has always been difficult for United in history, then Moscow [is in] the Champions League at the highest level. Then we have to play against our competitor, City. It is a very heavy week so we have to be prepared for that. After an international break it is not easy.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

Everton have been difficult to beat in recent weeks and sit ninth in the Premier League form guide—just one point and two places behind the Red Devils. 

Van Gaal needs an emphatic response from his squad after appearing tactically weak in the first half of the match against Arsenal.

The Toffees present a tough away day for United, but if they are to keep up their challenge at the top of the table, they must collect three points from places like Goodison.