(Manchester United News)
Louis van Gaal expressed his disappointment after Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal, saying the Reds "lost because of our own performance".
United went down 2-1 to the Gunners at Old Trafford, where Danny Welbeck scored the winner after Wayne Rooney had cancelled out Nacho Monreal’s opener. Angel Di Maria’s subsequent dismissal for two bookable offences only made the Reds’ task harder.
"We didn't lose to them, we lost [because of] our own performance, and that's very disappointing," the manager said at his post-match press conference. "The players are very disappointed; they know it could have been different.
"It's a pity because after we were 1-0 down, we recovered immediately," he added on MUTV. "And the first chances of the second half were for us, so we could have decided the game."
Welbeck took advantage of a short backpass by Antonio Valencia to net the decisive goal, but van Gaal refused to be too critical of the Ecuadorian, who otherwise impressed.
"We gave the ball away in an area where you cannot give the ball away and that’s very disappointing," the manager said. "I think the best man in my team made the error and it was decisive. These things happen."
Di Maria was sent off by for two bookable offences, firstly for simulation and then for appearing to grab referee Michael Oliver to protest against the first decision.
