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Louis van Gaal claims Jose Mourinho's Manchester United is 'far more boring' than his was

Mourinho's tactics have come in for a lot of criticism after the Manchester derby

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The Independent Sport
Van Gaal is still hurt by how he was sacked by United Getty

Louis van Gaal has continued his verbal attack on Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, claiming the football being played at the club now is far more boring than when he was in charge.

The Dutchman has hit out at the style of football being played at Old Trafford in the past and is still hurt by how his sacking from the club in 2016 was handled, especially in the aftermath of an FA Cup victory.

Mourinho was criticised for how he opted to play in the Manchester derby as City dominated possession and territory but Van Gaal believes he was more harshly treated for his tactics than his successor.

Manchester United vs Manchester City player ratings

Manchester United vs Manchester City player ratings

  • 1/23 Manchester United vs Manchester City: Player ratings

    We run the rule over the two teams.

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  • 2/23 David de Gea - 6

    Made a superb save at the front post to deny Sane’s powerful shot. Could do little about either City goal.

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  • 3/23 Antonio Valencia - 5

    Rarely got forward. Defensively he was troubled by Jesus, Sane and Sterling.

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  • 4/23 Chris Smalling - 5

    Regimented when called upon and made a couple of important tackles.

  • 5/23 Marcos Rojo - 5

    Did not hold back with feisty tackles. Taken off at half time after clashing heads in the first half.

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  • 6/23 Ashley Young - 5

    Might have made the left-back spot in the side his own with anther sturdy performance. Like Valencia, he rarely got forward.

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  • 7/23 Nemanja Matic - 5

    A few nice touches in possession. Struggled to win the ball back and break up play. Strangely let De Bruyne and Silva play in front of him.

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  • 8/23 Ander Herrera - 5

    The man you want in a derby. He worked so hard in the middle against quality players. Rightly picked up a yellow card in the second half for diving.

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  • 9/23 Anthony Martial - 6

    Made a couple of nice runs forward but should have taken advantage of Walker’s early booking.

  • 10/23 Jesse Lingard - 5

    Struggled to get involved but looked promising on the rare occasions he did get on the ball.

  • 11/23 Marcus Rashford - 7

    Took his chance in the first half well and equalised just before the break with a sharp finish.

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  • 12/23 Romelu Lukaku - 5

    Can’t have had many touches in the first half and was largely non-existent. Twice failed to clear crosses, twice contributed to City’s goals. Should be well away from defending his own goal.

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  • 13/23 Ederson - 8

    Made a heroic double save late in the game. He bravely denied Lukaku with his face then got up to prevent Mata poking in a certain goal.

  • 14/23 Kyle Walker - 6

    Booked in the third minute for a needless foul in the middle of the pitch.

  • 15/23 Vincent Kompany - 5

    Largely quiet display. Put in a very strong derby-like challenge on Herrera. Withdrawn at half time.

  • 16/23 Nicolas Otamendi - 6

    Could have done better to clear the ball before Rashford’s goal. Reacted well to score from close range in the second half.

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  • 17/23 Fabian Delph - 5

    Failed to clear a simple cross which then fell to Rashford who scored.

  • 18/23 Fernandinho - 6

    Slotted in at centre back for a short period in the second half. His versatility was important for City.

  • 19/23 Kevin De Bruyne - 6

    His final pass was uncharacteristically off today although he did test De Gea with a couple of powerful shots.

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  • 20/23 David Silva - 7

    Was in the right place at the right time to put City ahead in the first half with an instinctive poacher’s finish from close range.

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  • 21/23 Raheem Sterling - 6

    Looked bright around the box but was seemingly reluctant to shoot.

  • 22/23 Leroy Sané - 6

    Showed a few glimpses of quality but was ultimately unable to trouble United.

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  • 23/23 Gabriel Jesus - 6

    A few fancy runs and passes but provided no end product. Only lasted an hour.

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“We played football that was quite all right. But it's not football that is appreciated in England,” Van Gaal told Fox Sports in the Netherlands. “Right now, looking at United, I have to conclude Mourinho is not being criticised while it's far more boring football. What United produce now is defensive football.

“I always played attacking football. The proof is that the opposition were always parking the bus. They don't do that now because Mourinho plays so defensive.”

Despite the criticism of Mourinho’s style, Van Gaal insisted that he holds no grudge against him.

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“He is not an awful man,” he added. “I think he is a sympathetic guy. He was my assistant at Barcelona.

“I worked with him and what Mourinho did is what often happens in football.”