Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has said that people had unrealistic expectations of him in the first match against Swansea. The Dutchman opened his United career with a defeat against Swansea at Old Trafford. This results shocked many who had been hoping for a much better performance from United, especially at home, after the appointment of this experienced manager. Home form was extremely disappointing under David Moyes last campaign and this was one of the primary reasons behind the club finishing outside the top four.

Prior to kick-off, there was a lot of expectation that United will challenge for the title once again, but this defeat has reiterated the tough job in the hands of Van Gaal. The Dutchman was without a number of regular first-team players like Rafael Da Silva, Danny Welbeck, and Robin van Persie for this encounter. Summer signing Luke Shaw is also on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. The multitude of injury problems has been given as one reasons for United’s performance, but a club that has spent more than £ 150 million in the last five summers should be doing much better.
Van Gaal says that there is no immediate remedy for the troubles faced by the club. He has asked for at least three months in order to make his impact on the team.

“My teams shall improve through the season. We have lost [against Swansea]. It always depends in football on the result. But I know it’s not like that. It depends on the process, with the information at the end – we shall improve. But now it’s difficult. I have said from the beginning – I have not shouted – ‘We shall be the champion’. I have said we need time. We need time to build up a new team,” said Van Gaal.