Louis van Gaal far from impressed with Man Utd showing

Louis van Gaal has said Manchester United’s game against Club Brugge in the Europa League last week was a “lousy contest”.

Van Gaal, who managed United between 2014-16, was in attendance for United’s Europa League game in Belgium last Thursday with ex-Club Brugge player Henk Houwaart.

In an uninspiring game United fought back from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 and Van Gaal was not at all impressed.

“Louis thought it was a lousy contest,” Houwaart told Het Laatste Nieuws. “(We) both thought it was a worthless match. After no more than three passes, they lost the ball again (and) Louis sighed.

“It was just friendly. Too bad, because Man Utd were there to be taken, had Club Brugge played with their best team. Well, it’s not over yet. We’ll score in England.”

Emmanuel Dennis got Club Brugge off to a dream start after catching the normally-dependable Sergio Romero well out of position, but Anthony Martial capitalised on an error to silence the tired Jan Breydelstadion to seal a 1-1 draw.

That away goal means United have the upper hand heading back to Old Trafford for the second leg of the last-32 tie on Thursday, leaving Solskjaer pleased on the whole and talking up the performance of Martial.

“It was a difficult game against a well-organised team in difficult conditions,” said the United boss. “I don’t think it was one of the best games that anyone’s seen.

“A bit sloppy concentration-wise, but the conditions with the pitch and the ball makes it hard.

“I think you can ask any of the players. That ball doesn’t help anyone play football.

“We needed to make everyone part of the squad (so I made changes), gave them games.

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“We’ve got so many games now, so we got an away goal, we got a draw. We go home next week so hopefully we can finish the job.”