“Horny” Van Gaal urges Man United players to ignore criticism

As has often been the case this season, and most of last, Louis Van Gaal was in a rather peculiar mood on Wednesday.
The Manchester United boss was speaking at Old Trafford ahead of the Red Devils’ Europa League Round of 32 second leg clash against FC Midtjylland on Thursday with his side trailing 2-1 from the first leg. With David De Gea and Wayne Rooney out injured, plus 10 others, he will be down to the bare bones as United aim to keep their European campaign going this season.
Van Gaal, 64, has been at the center of intense speculation in recent weeks with Jose Mourinho reportedly lined up to replace him as United’s manager.

Asked about the growing criticism of him and his players — failing to score in the first half of 11-straight home games, crashing out of the UEFA Champions League and languishing six points off the top four will bring its critics — Van Gaal gave a forthright response.

“Maybe it can be an influence. There is a lot of criticism,” Van Gaal said. “They [the players] have to use their tools to ignore it. You have to prepare yourself properly. It should not be an influencing subject.”

He also then went on to say something rather peculiar, courtesy of Simon Peach from Press Association, as he talked about his players’ desire to beat their Danish counterparts and reach the last 16 of the Europa League.

“Desire – it is a great word,” Van Gaal said. “I often use the word horny with my players.”

Hmm. A horny Van Gaal.