Louis van Gaal snaps back at Gary Neville for suggesting Man United are playing like a 'pub side'

The Dutchman admitted his side were lucky to beat Southampton on Monday night, but told Neville to 'pay attention to his words'

Tetchy: Van Gaal was not impressed by Neville's comments

Louis van Gaal admitted his side were lucky to move into the top three but warned Sky pundit Gary Neville: ‘Watch what you say about Manchester United’.
The Reds boss accepted Robin van Persie, who struck twice against Southampton for their fifth win in a row, had bailed his team out. But Van Gaal took exception to Gary Neville’s claim that Sunday’s game against Liverpool will be “the Dog and Duck against the Red Lion”.
The prickly Dutchman snapped: “He can say everything because he’s an ex-legend. But as an ex-legend, you have to know what you’re saying.”
Pressed further, the United boss appeared to imply Neville should be more respectful to his former club. He said: “You can interpret that (as you like). It’s not difficult when I say he has to pay attention to his words.”

Man United shots vs Southampton

Shots

On target

Goals

United managed just THREE attempts on target - lower than they have recorded in any Premier League game since August 2003 - as they were dominated by Ronald Koeman’s Southampton team.
Van Persie put the Red Devils ahead on 12 minutes but Graziano Pelle equalised on 31 minutes. Shane Long missed gilt-edged chances either side of half time before Van Persie struck again on 71 minutes.
Van Gaal said afterwards: “Until now, this was his best performance. His second was not so easy because the ball was coming towards his right foot and he connected with his left. A nice touch.
“It’s fantastic now to be third in the table, but I’d hope we’d do that with a better performance because, tonight, we were the lucky team.”

Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates with team mate Ashley Young after scoring his second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester St Mary's Stadium on December 8, 2014 in Southampton, England. — VIEW GALLERY

Van Gaal, who withdrew poorly-performing Paddy McNair before half time, insisted EIGHT players in his team were below par on the night.
“I think that not only the goals are telling us something about Robin, but also his performance.” said the United boss. “He was one of the three players on the pitch of Manchester United who were good, or maybe very good. He had a great influence on the result. Very positive.
“[McNair] had no confidence, he had given three chances away. It’s very disappointing for me and for Paddy, but I had to because as a manager I am responsible.
“It’s tough but it’s also in his best interests. I have made a lot of changes and all the boys can survive. It is only one match, one moment in a lifetime.”
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Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester St Mary's Stadium on December 8, 2014 in Southampton, England. — Rescue act: Van Persie earnt United maximum points despite their poor display

Asked whether Southampton deserved more, Van Gaal said: “When you are the better team, you deserve more. But believe me, it is always the goals which count.
“We have played the first six or seven matches and never won, but we were always the better team. But at that time I didn’t say anything about that. You have to learn that also.”
Koeman later refused to console himself with the knowledge that his team were the better side.
He said: “The score is 1-2. You can talk long about who deserved to win, who played the football, who played the offensive football, which team did the pressing, but everything is t because we lost.”

Those Neville comments in full

"It's going to be the Dog and Duck versus the Red Lion!
"They (United) keep getting injuries, two changes in the back four or five again in the first half and they can't keep defenders fit.
"They look shaky on the ball and tonight they lacked counter-attack and any speed. When they were that bad against Arsenal they had a counter-attack through Di Maria. Tonight they didn’t have anything.
“They have got away with murder tonight with that performance to win there. Southampton weren’t very good at all. United are going to have to play better than that.
“Louis van Gaal will watch the video back and think they were so bad in their passing at times - it almost got to the point where you started laughing.

Gary Neville face — Not holding back: Neville was not impressed by United

“It was that bad. It was that frustrating I was laughing. I couldn’t believe the amount of times they gave it away. In the first half the amount of times they passed it back.
“You look at the players and there was £100m quids worth in central midfield and £50m worth up front - we’re talking about massive players. Forget the back, the front part of the pitch...Valencia and Young at wing-back and you have to say they are makeshift wing backs at best.
"Young kids, players playing out of position, Michael Carrick is playing centre-back so you can see why it would be bad at the back and disruptive.
"But in front of that it was so bad in terms of the passing and the accuracy and that will be the shock. Louis van Gaal will be shocked at how bad it was at times. I was shocked."

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