Louis van Gaal launched a three-pronged attack on Gary Neville, his own players and long-term foe Ronald Koeman after Manchester United’s 2-1 win at Southampton.
The Old Trafford boss questioned former United defender Neville’s credentials in claiming the Red Devils “got away with murder” with a scrappy victory at St Mary’s.
Robin van Persie’s double edged United home, with Van Gaal only satisfied with three of his stars’ performances.
Neville condemned United’s patchy performance on social media and on Sky Sports, claiming Sunday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool could be “like The Dog and Duck versus The Red Lion”.
“The former player of United?” asked Van Gaal when quizzed on England coach Neville’s comments.
“That’s an English expression? Hmm: maybe (United got away with murder).
“He can say everything because he is an ex-legend, but as an ex-legend, or a legend, you have to know what you are saying.
“You can interpret: make an interpretation of that.
“It’s not so difficult to make an interpretation, when I say he has to pay attention to his words.”
Van Gaal claimed Van Persie’s “best performance” in his short managerial stint at United sealed a victory his side barely deserved.
The former Barcelona boss hauled off youngster Paddy McNair in the 39th minute and was forced to rearrange his side with Saints pressing continuously.
Van Gaal said “too many” of his players underperformed, but refused to point any fingers.
“I think that not only the goals are telling something about Robin Van Persie, I think also his performance: he was one of only three players on the pitch of Manchester United who were good, or maybe very good,” said Van Gaal.
“He had a great influence on the result. Until now that is his best performance.
“Too many players were not good.
“There was a range of course between good and bad, but they were not good.
“Normally you have six, seven, eight who are good and three in that other range.
“But today there were too many players in that range who were not good, I believe.”
Saints levelled through Graziano Pelle, but slipped to their third consecutive defeat, leaving manager Koeman furious “the better team” lost.
Van Gaal offered a thinly-veiled barb at his long-term adversary, taking first blood in the Premier League battle against his former friend.
