Van Gaal labels van Persie ‘stupid’ for ripping off shirt

Robin van Persie found himself labelled "stupid" by Louis van Gaal following his late equaliser for Manchester United, although the Old Trafford manager may well have been referring to the Dutch international’s analysis of their team’s title credentials rather than the caution he received for ripping off his shirt.

“You have seen a stupid reaction after the goal,” said van Gaal of van Persie’s 94th minute finish. “You can be excited but you don’t have to pull your shirt off. Then you have a yellow card, that is not so smart.

“But yes, we deserved a point. You know that, Jose Mourinho knows that also. I said to the boys, it wasn’t our best performance and that’s a pity because in these moments you have to show yourself against the better teams.”