Manchester United under pressure boss Louis van Gaal had more to add to his damaged reputation and worries as he cheekily patted a journalist at a press conference before he left for Holland on an undisclosed reason for the weekend. This press conference took place after the match against Southampton which United lost 1-0.
Reports suggest that Van Gaal had called off training on Sunday in the aftermath of the home defeat. All players and coaches were asked not to turn up. It comes as a surprise as this post-match warm down session is a routine that has been followed by United for ages.
During the press conference Van Gaal was approached by a journalist who put forward a rather innocent question asking him about the authenticity of the rumours doing the rounds that United are to hire Ashley Cole on loan from Roma.
Cole is apparently closing in on a move to LA Galaxy after the termination of his contract with Roma and in the midst of all this he was being linked to Manchester United. It was being conjectured that United is looking at Cole as an option in these injury laden times at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman’s reply to the journalist was curt. “He did not play for a year!” said Van Gaal with a patronizing pat on the man’s left cheek.
Very recently Van Gaal called a reporter a “fat man” at a press conference. Van Gaal has had his bitter relationship with the media ever since he started out being a manager.
Following the incident, Van Gaal was spotted at the Manchester airport leaving for the Netherlands. It is being suggested that he just might not be coming back. The note of disappointment could also be sensed in his tone when asked about his future as the manager of Manchester United.
“This question I shall never answer to you. We had to win this game and we could have won, but it’s not happening. You have to play football to entertain the fans. I don’t think we have entertained the fans, so they can be very angry,” said Van Gaal.
