Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal shown during his team's Premier League match on Sunday against Manchester City. AFP Photo / March 20, 2016
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal shown during his team's Premier League match on Sunday against Manchester City. AFP Photo / March 20, 2016

Manchester United: Top four ‘is in our own hands’ says buoyant Louis van Gaal



Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes that his team have a "big chance" of finishing in the Premier League's top four following their 1-0 win at Manchester City.

United's season looked to be on the rocks after they were knocked out of the Europa League by Liverpool last Thursday, but teenage striker Marcus Rashford's clinically taken 16th-minute strike got them back on track at the Etihad Stadium in Sunday's derby.

As well as ending a run of four games without victory in all competitions, the result took United to within a point of City, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League berth, and Van Gaal is confident that his team can outstrip their local rivals over the eight-game run-in.

Read more: Andy Mitten on Manchester United's quiet Marcus Rashford, a potential new Ronaldo – in one way only

Also see: In derby, a glimpse at an old looking Manchester City, a view into end of an era, writes Richard Jolly

And for more Manchester United: Precocious Mancunian Marcus Rashford wins derby for Manchester United – in pictures

“I have said that we must win this game and we have done it, so I am very happy,” said the Dutchman, whose day had begun with fresh press reports linking Jose Mourinho to his position.

“Because otherwise the gap was too big if they won or a draw (and the gap) is still four points, eight matches to go, then it should be very difficult.

“Now it is in our own hands. We have to win our games. We have more home matches than away matches. We don’t lose so much at Old Trafford, so we have a big chance.”

City were missing defensive duo Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi and Rashford gave stand-in centre-back Martin Demichelis a torrid time, streaking past him to score the game’s only goal.

With five goals in eight games, Rashford has taken to life at Old Trafford with an ease that belies his 18 years of age, but Van Gaal batted away talk that he has played himself into England contention.

“I don’t want to interfere and we don’t have to exaggerate neither,” he said.

“He is young. He is good, otherwise I don’t let him stay and I let him stay there.

“Last week there were questions why I let him stay in the media and now I get the question that he has to play in the national team.”

Van Gaal said he did not know whether captain Wayne Rooney will be fit to return from his knee injury after the international break.

But the United manager’s selection problems pale in comparison to those troubling his City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini, who lost winger Raheem Sterling to a groin problem and goalkeeper Joe Hart to a calf injury.

Pellegrini estimated that both would be out for “three or four weeks”, which would rule them out of England’s forthcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands and potentially next month’s two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain as well.

City's fourth defeat in six league games, and ninth in total, left them 15 points behind leaders Leicester City and they now have both United and West Ham United on their tail.

Pellegrini dismissed the suggestion that with Pep Guardiola’s arrival as his replacement now public knowledge, he has lost the ability to motivate his players.

“I don’t think I lose any control,” he said. “The attitude of the team today (Sunday) reflects that they are all involved with what we want to do.

“Of course it’s not the best way to finish the season, but I am happy with the attitude.”

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Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.

The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.

The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.

The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.

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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Match info

Manchester United 4
(Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72')

Bournemouth 1
(Ake 45 2')

Red card: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)

The bio

Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer

Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist

Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi

Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup

Hobbies: Reading and drawing

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5