Manchester United need to fully embrace coach Louis van Gaal’s philosophy if they are to compete for silverware next season after a second consecutive year without a trophy, Daley Blind says.Though United have shown improvement in Louis van Gaal’s first year as manager, they are still fighting for a Champions League berth rather than the Premier League title, a status Blind would like to see changed.
“I think we will compete for trophies next season because a club like United has to be fighting,” Blind said, according to the Sun.
“We want to win the league, of course, that’s the main thing. That and to play in the Champions League again.”
After a slow start, Van Gaal’s men rebounded and briefly hinted at a title challenge before three straight defeats ended all hopes, and Blind says it has taken time to adjust to the new manager’s plans.
“He has his own philosophy and approach which players have to adapt to,” Blind said. “In the end you see that it makes you better and it makes a better team. I think everybody has realised that now.
“It’s important that we have stuck together as a team, even when it’s not going so well.”
United’s 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Saturday leaves Liverpool within range of catching United for fourth place at four points back with three games to play.
Juan Mata says United must end their three-match scoring drought if they are to hold off their rivals.
“The weekend wasn’t good for several reasons,” the United playmaker wrote on his blog. “Obviously the 0-1 at Old Trafford is a tough score for us and we are forced to win as soon as possible: our rivals ahead keep adding points, and also the teams behind are getting closer.
“It’s the tendency of the last few weeks: we have more ball possession than our opponent and create chances but we aren’t able to take them.
“We must focus on being effective because we haven’t scored in the last few games and we can’t afford it any longer. On Saturday we tried until the end but their goalkeeper was brilliant.”