Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal went in with surprising tactics against Manchester City last night and he has now explained why Jesse Lingard played in the No.10 position while Juan Mata played on the right wing. Van Gaal, however, believes that this might be Lingard's best position.
He said: "That is why I have put him there but sometimes also I need a right winger who is fast.
"It’s also dependable on the opponent and the game plan, but I think Jesse is more of a midfielder than a right winger. He played there two times very well."
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Van Gaal reveals why he does not want to praise Morgan Schneiderlin
French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin put in an accomplished performance last night, but Van Gaal was reluctant to praise him.
He said: "I don’t have to say that too loud because the last time I said I am very happy for Morgan Schneiderlin, after that he played not so well.
"But today he played a very good match. He was a lot of times available to receive the pass but also defensively was very firm and strict and he played also a very important position in midfield. I was very happy especially because I had to rotate. Fellaini could not play the fourth game in a row."
The victory left United just 1 point behind their rivals Manchester City as the race for Champions League qualification heats up with only eight games remaining in the Premier League.
I am not losing control of my players: Pellegrini
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Sunday he was not losing control of his players despite their increasingly disappointing form since learning that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
The 1-0 derby defeat at home to Manchester United in the Premier League was City's fifth in 10 games in all competitions, leaving the normally unflappable Pellegrini with an unusually tetchy demeanour when asked about the reasons behind the slump.
The loss not only effectively ended City's title challenge but now also leaves their Champions League place next season, once considered a near-certainty, increasingly in the balance. Fourth-placed City are one point ahead of United and West Ham.
Talking to reporters after Sunday's defeat, though, Pellegrini said: "I don't think I lose any control. If you see the attitude of the team today, (it) reflects they are all involved in what we want to do.
"It is not the best way to finish the season but, I repeat, I am happy with the attitude. All the players are focused in this season and they want to finish as near to the top of the table as we can."
