Van Gaal plays cool as United come roaring back

Louis van Gaal deems it a work in progress and he is right. Manchester United still look well short of the team that considered they had few equals at home or abroad in their pomp under Alex Ferguson but having gone top of the Premier League they have also now secured opening win in the Champions League.

If you are going to rebuild, it’s better to do it from a position of strength and Van Gaal’s mission gained further credence as United came from behind to secure their first points and share of the lead in Group B thanks to a Juan Mata penalty and Chris Smalling’s first goal of the season just after half time. It wasn’t pretty but, as in the Premier League, United, to the relief of van Gaal, found a way to win.

“It was very difficult because they scored early,” admitted the United manager. “After that we did very well and we created a lot of chances but didn’t finished it.