Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal confesses his side are in a tough circumstances as they lose their Europa League last-32 first leg game to FC Midtjylland by 2-1. He also put his side’s defeat down to Murphy’s law. Memphis Depay put the United ahead in the first half in a game at Danish city Herning, but Pione Sisto and Paul Onuachu sealed the victory for the hosts. Van Gaal, already without 13 players, lost David de Gea during the training and used a proverb that indicates anything that can fail will fail. “It is the law of Murphy I think,” said the Dutchman.

“Many things are occurring in the heads of the players and in the first 10 or 15 minutes we were not so good.” Van Gaal thought his team became better as the first half went on and could have scored more goals. But he added: “In the second half we did not win any duels, any second balls. You cannot afford a second goal, but we could have scored also.” Jesse Lingard had the amazing opportunity twice. At the end of the match, Manchester United lovers in the MCH Arena made it clear that they were disappointed with their team’s performance.

Van Gaal accepted the second-half performance was not good enough, but defended the attitude of his players. “The fans can criticise,” he said. “They can do it because when you see the second half, maybe they are right. We have to improve and then the fans shall support us again. “All the players want to perform in an excellent way. It is not a case of attitude. We were not winning the second balls – that is my analysis.”

Manchester United’s next game sees them face League One side Shrewsbury in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday night at New Meadow, looking to avoid an upset and a third consecutive defeat in all competitions. Then after three days they will face Midtjylland in the return leg at Old Trafford on Thursday, 25 February 2016.

Curated from Louis van Gaal: Manchester United boss acknowledges “difficult situation” – BBC Sport