Louis Van Gaal ‘not shocked’ by Man Utd defeat at MK Dons

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insisted he was “not shocked” by his side’s 4-0 thrashing by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

United crashed out against the League One side to leave Van Gaal winless after his first three games in charge.

“I am not shocked because I know what can happen,” he said. “A new team is not built in one month.

“I also think Milton Keynes played very well, very aggressively and they had a little bit of luck with the goals.”

A Jonny Evans error gifted Will Grigg a first-half opener and the MK Dons striker chested in a second after the hour mark. Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe then hit his own double to compound United’s misery as the away side managed just two shots on target all match.

Van Gaal said he wanted to look at “the second team and youth education” after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland and would analyse the mistakes which “gave the match away”.

He said: “We made too many errors. I have no regrets about my selection but the changes were risky.

“I changed the way we played in the first half. We played one versus one over the whole pitch and when you see that. we created a lot of chances, but we were not lucky.”

Former Netherlands boss Van Gaal took over at Old Trafford in the summer following last season’s seventh-placed finish, their worst in Premier League history.

United’s spending has reached £131.7m in this transfer window following the signing of Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for £59.7m on Tuesday.

The loss at Stadium MK came with six internationals in the starting line up and follows a home defeat against Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League campaign and Saturday’s draw at Sunderland.

When asked to elaborate on why he was not shocked by his side’s capitulation against MK, he referred to the “rebuilding process” he was overseeing at the 13-time Premier League champions.

“It is very difficult when you start as a manager in the Premier League with a home loss and then a draw and then after that you lose in a cup match,” said the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.

“For the fans, it is very difficult to still believe in the philosophy of Louis van Gaal.

“But you have to do that because I am here and I am here to build up a new team. The process needs time. We know exactly what we are doing.

“We have lost in the Capital One Cup, so tonight has cost us the chance of a trophy, and that is disappointing.”

Breaking News : Olivier Giroud Out For 5 Months

Arsenal’s first choice striker Oliver Giroud is facing three months out following an ankle injury he sustained while trying to block a clearance in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

If confirmed, it represents a huge blow for Arsenal as the French striker is integral to the team’s set up. He showed his importance to the team when he came off the bench at the weekend to add some much needed physical presence up top for Arsenal that later culminated in the coming back from imminent defeat.

With the news of this injury doing the rounds in the media, even though it has not been confirmed, it means the club lacks a competent replacement in the striking department that would take up the mantle of the French striker. Yaya Sanogo who Arsene Wenger prefers in Oliver Giroud’s absence, is currently nursing a hamstring injury, and would likely not to be available on Wednesday against Besiktas, which means Alexis Sanchez might be saddled with the responsibility of playing up top as he did against Everton.

Thought not yet confirmed, the club has been clinging on thin ice in respect of Oliver Giroud for the last two seasons, as he has been the only player that could be relied upon to lead the line, last season he started in Arsenal’s entire league matches bar just two. Any long term absence from the 27 year old would definitely hit the club hard in the coming weeks, because a look at the options available does not inspire confidence in terms of bringing what Oliver Giroud brings to the side.

With his injury, Arsenal can forget about challenging for the title this season if Arsene Wenger does not react in the transfer market. While the news of the injury if it confirmed, is a downer on the club’s prospect for the season, it happens when the transfer window is still open, and with one week still to go before it shuts, the club can react to bring in another striker that would add something to the team’s set up.

While Arsene Wenger can call on several players currently at his disposal who have the attributes of playing as a striker ala Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Alexis Sanchez and Joel Campbell, there is no substitute for bringing in an out-an -out centre forward whose traditional role is playing up top.

With other title rivals boosting upwards of four strikers who are competent, it is a shame that Arsenal are fretting over the injury of it main striker because there are no obvious options available for a direct replacement.

If anything, there is still sometime for the club to salvage the situation in the transfer market, as the injury continues to stack up in the part of the season. It remains to be seen what Arsene Wenger does between now and the end of the window if Oliver Giroud ends up in the treatment room for three months.

Milan keen on Torres, Ginkel

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has admitted to holding an interest in Chelsea duo Fernando Torres and Marco van Ginkel.

Torres’ future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain, despite claims from Jose Mourinho that he still has an important role to play.

With Diego Costa and Didier Drogba having been added to Chelsea’s attacking arsenal over the summer, the Spain international could find himself some way down the pecking order.

“Van Ginkel? We are confident. We have made our proposal to Chelsea and are now waiting on an answer.”

Various clubs from across Europe are said to be mulling over an approach before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Serie A side Milan are among them, with the Rossoneri in the market for a new frontman after offloading Mario Balotelli to Liverpool.

Galliani has refused to confirm whether a formal move for Torres will be made, but he admits that the 30-year-old fits the profile of the type of player they are after.

He has also confirmed that an offer has been put to Chelsea for Holland international midfielder Van Ginkel.

Galliani told Milan Channel, “Our goal is to take a great striker.

“Fernando Torres? He is a great striker. Let’s see if he comes or someone else. We are actively working.

“Van Ginkel? We are confident. We have made our proposal to Chelsea and are now waiting on an answer. We hope we can get him.”