Draw ‘hurts United’s title chances’

BIRMINGHAM — Louis van Gaal has admitted that Manchester United damaged their chances of mounting a Premier League title challenge after drawing 1-1 with Aston Villa.

It was an encounter marred by controversy over Gabriel Agbonlahor’s sending off, with Villa manager Paul Lambert later saying that United’s Ashley Young had admitted to goalkeeper Brad Guzan that he had actually fouled Agbonlahor.

Still, it was Agbonlahor who went and Villa are likely to appeal against referee Lee Mason’s decision.

Van Gaal was bitterly disappointed that the Red Devils had failed to capitalise on their man advantage and said his team needed to find ways to win in the manner that Manchester City had done earlier in the day against Crystal Palace.

“When you want to be part of the title race, you have to win these types of games,” he said. “It was not good enough to catch the victory here.”

Asked whether United were title challengers, van Gaal added: “No, because you have seen that you have to win these matches and we didn’t win. But it is still a long time to go and Chelsea have to go to Stoke City.”

He compared the Red Devils’ performance with that of City, who managed to score three second-half goals after a poor first half.

“Yes, that is what I mean,” he said. “I have seen, for example, Manchester City (in) the first half (against) Crystal Palace. They could have been behind and struggled until half-time (but), in the end, it is 3-0. That is the difference.”

Van Gaal continued: “We dropped two points. We were the better team I think and that is frustrating when you are the better team in this kind of games. We were not as aggressive in the first half. As usual, we kept the ball better, but did not create too much because we were not looking for the forwards. That is why I changed it.”

The result means United remain third in the Premier League standings with 32 points after 17 matches, trailing Chelsea — who play on Monday against Stoke — and City by seven points.

Despite the draw, Villa coach Paul Lambert hailed his team, who are 12th in the table.

“I thought we were excellent, considering that everything went against us, with seven lads out because of injury and suspension, and Tom (Cleverley, on loan from United) being ineligible for the game,” he said. “If you look at our bench, it’s like a kindergarten.”

Of Agbonlahor’s dismissal, Lambert added: “If that’s a red card, you may as well pack up the game of football. Brad Guzan has spoken to Ashley Young after the game and he has admitted that he fouled Gabby.

“I’m not worried whether he (Young) made a meal of it or not. It’s two lads who had gone in for the ball. He admitted it (the foul) to Brad Guzan. Whether that helps or not, that is not a red card.”

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

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