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'We have to create more chances than penalties' -- Van Gaal

Manchester United’s new boss pointed to a dearth of passing precision as the reason for today’s dropped points.

MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Louis Van Gaal pointed at two penalty incidents that should have been awarded to his side in the 1 – 1 draw with Sunderland, but admits his side did not create enough chances.
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The ex-Netherlands boss refused to accept that Ashley Young’s 62nd minute yellow card for diving was merited, saying:

“He lifted the ball over the player and the opponent is kicking him. So after that he was jumping. But what counts is that [the opponent] is kicking and the referee can give a penalty. He could have also given the penalty to Van Persie,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports post-match.

“You can say ‘okay, he was already falling in his dribble’, but the tackle was coming and there are referees who will give a penalty. But never the less, we have to create more chances than only penalties.”

United’s inability to hold possession and build pressure made for a shaky encounter with Sunderland, whose 30th minute equaliser from Jack Rodwell was enough to claim a point.

With only Antonio Valencia’s 17th minute cross for a Juan Mata tap-in opening up the Black Cats’ rearguard, the issue became a recurring them even in a short interview with Van Gaal.

“We missed in this game the passing. Too much, it was slow, or too fast, or too hasty. Then you lose a lot of ball and the tempo is out of the game. That, in my opinion, is the reason.”

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He added: “Last week, we created more chances – and football has been played for creating chances and making goals.

“So much chances, we didn’t create today. But I have to say, probably we had more possession and we were more dominant than the last match, but you have to win your game at that moment.”

Van Gaal would not be drawn on the reported imminent arrival of Angel Di Maria, but although the Argentine winger would most likely require the Dutchman to change from his preferred 3-5-2 formation, he would surely inject some much needed cut and thrust into a United attack that currently looks devoid of inspiration.

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