Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said he felt that on another day, and with another referee, 1-0 might not have been the final scoreline to Chelsea on Saturday after his side's Premier League loss to the new de facto champions.
Ander Herrera, Van Gaal contended, might have been awarded a penalty went he down under a challenge from Gary Cahill in the Chelsea box, only to be booked for diving by referee Mike Dean. The Man United manager also complained that Radamel Falcao had been fouled by John Terry in the build-up to Eden Hazard’s lone goal in the contest.
“Always you are dependable on the referee,” said the Dutchman, who claimed that his team had produced their “best match of this season”.
“When he whistles, it’s a penalty; now, it is not a penalty. When he doesn’t whistle for a foul on Falcao, it’s not a foul.
“My opinion is different, but OK, it’s like that. I cannot control the referee. I think that’s also the best way, that a trainer, coach or manager cannot control the referee.”
Eleven points below Chelsea having played a game more, United’s slim title hopes have effectively been dashed, but Van Gaal felt his side’s performance augured well both for their final five fixtures and the challenges to come next season.
“We are in a process and I see my team always growing, improving every week,” he said.
“It’s amazing how we have played here when you see the statistics. It’s unbelievable the result is 1-0, but that’s football. It’s not like in other sport, but that counts.
“It’s not that we have made a big step in our process that counts, for we count that. But for the fans, they have lost and Manchester United have lost. And that’s a pity when you play so well.”
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