Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has described his side’s 1-0 loss to West Brom as a huge setback to their top four ambitions and blamed Juan Mata for getting sent off..
United played over an hour of the game with 10 men after Mata was sent off for a second bookable offence. It was United’s first league defeat at West Brom since 1984.
Salomon Randon eventually got the only goal of the game in the second half.
Speaking after the game, Van Gaal claimed that United should be picking all three points against opposition like West Brom to stand a chance of finishing in the top four.
“It’s a big blow in terms of top four, these kind of matches you have to win,” he lamented.
Van Gaal also blamed Mata for getting himself sent off.
“You know the first one is a stupid yellow card and then you have to be aware the referee can give a second yellow. A referee has to decide within one second but when you know the player, Mata never hurts a player.
“The only chance was the goal so what can I say, it is a pity.”
He added:” The loss is a big blow because it was not necessary. When you see the half it was not necessary I think.”
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