LVG hails ‘unbelievable team spirit’

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has attributed the club’s come from behind win against Preston North End in the fifth round of the FA Cup to “unbelievable team spirit.”

Goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney helped United avoid embarrassment in front of 21,348 witnesses at the Deepdale Stadium.

At the hour mark, LVG replaced Colombian striker Radamel Falcao with Ashley Young, deploying the Fellaini alongside Rooney in attack.

The move paid dividends, as Young set up Herrera’s equaliser before Fellaini put the Red Devils ahead on 72 minutes.

“I was satisfied [with the second half performance]. But also about the first half I was really satisfied,” Van Gaal told BBC Sport.

“It is always difficult in such games, especially with long balls and fights between the center halves and [Preston striker Kevin] Davies.  In the second half, the goal was a little bit unlucky, it was deviated also I think. But after then we showed an unbelievable team spirit.

“Then we changed the shape and that was the solution I think. We also scored fantastic goals, a little bit lucky also I think. The second goal [Antonio] Valenica’s cross to the second post for Fellaini I liked a lot. I was very happy for Valencia.”

Before the game, Van Gaal spoke about the club’s need to add another creative midfielder when the transfer window re-opens in January.

“Signing a creative player should be our priority this summer,” Van Gaal said. “I’m looking for balance and I need it in midfield.

“In the last few games I’ve played Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria in the midfield positions, and you need a certain balance for that kind of creative player.

“Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie are also creative players so then you have four of them, and you still have to look for balance in your team.

“Wayne is playing in midfield because there is no one else. He’s happy to do so otherwise he should come to me and say he’s not, but he never does. He’s always friendly to me and wants to perform.

“But of course when the whole world is writing that he has to be in the striker’s position then he will be thinking ‘hey, maybe’. He’s human.”

United have been linked with several midfielders, including Juventus’ Paul Pogba and Roma’s Kevin Strootman, over the past few months, but no deal has come about.

However, it should be safe to assume the Reds will splash the cash in the summer.