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Louis van Gaal says Manchester United is actually better than last season
OK, buddy.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Manchester United just exited the Champions League in embarrassing fashion and are tied for the lowest number of goals among teams in the Premier League’s top seven. But they’re improving, says Louis van Gaal, and his reasoning is amazing.
“When you see the facts,” he said, “we went further in the Capital One Cup, qualified for the Champions League group, we have played all these matches and are still in a very good position in the league. The facts say we are better than last year.”
The Capital One Cup is easily the fourth-most important tournament on United’s schedule. It’s also a tournament that they have been eliminated from. They lost to Championship side Middlesbrough. Their two biggest rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City, are still in that competition.
Goal of the day
In the news
Swansea City have fired Garry Monk. (Swansea City AFC)
Cristiano Ronaldo set a record for Champions League group stage goals. He has more than 11 teams. (AS)
Neymar suffered a minor injury, but no timetable is set for his return. (ESPN FC)
Oh look, Daniel Sturridge is hurt again. (Telegraph)
Portland Timbers left back and USMNT hopeful Jorge Villafaña is moving to Santos Laguna. (SI)
Loretta Lynch says the U.S.‘s dealings with Qatar on fighting ISIS will not affect the DOJ’s FIFA investigation. (AP)
You should be reading
Gabriele Marcotti on Man United being a joke with a lot of excuses. (ESPN FC)
Iain McIntosh has a great interview with The Secret Footballer. (The Set Pieces)
Daniel Armstrong on the history and brotherhood of RNK Split. (These Football Times)
What happened on Tuesday
What to watch on Wednesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Champions League: 8 games (2:45 p.m.) -- Arsenal vs. Olympiacos is the must-watch fixture.
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