Manchester United

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: 'My team are better than last year'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 09 December 2015

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says that his team are improving, despite failing to progress past the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has insisted that his team are improving, despite failing to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Red Devils suffered a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in Germany on Tuesday night, resulting in their exit from the elite European competition.

In the last few weeks, United have been criticised for their lack of attacking flair, and despite failing to progress past the group phase in Europe, Van Gaal is positive about the club's season.

"At the moment I cannot defend myself because we are out of the Champions League," Van Gaal told reporters. "Every word that I say is the wrong word.

"But when you see the facts we went further in the Capital One Cup [this season], 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. That's my answer because I can only give facts. I'm also disappointed that we are out of the Champions League."

United, who are fourth in the Premier League, were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals under former manager David Moyes in the 2013-14 season and failed to qualify in the following campaign.