Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has said that “facts” prove that his side are better now than they were last year despite the club being knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage, according to the BBC.
United failed to progress after a 3-2 defeat to Bundesliga giants Wolfsburg on Tuesday night, and will now take part in the Europa League.
But having reached the group stage, progressing in the Capital One Cup and sitting fourth in the Premier League has shown their improvement.
Though he could not defend their failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament by saying: “I cannot defend myself because we are out of the Champions League.”
United were knocked out in the fourth round of the League Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough this season, following an embarrassing 4-0 second-round defeat by MK Dons in the same competition last season.
And as they currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, the Dutchman feels that his side are making suitable progress.
“When you see the facts – we went further in the Capital One Cup, qualified for the Champions League group, we have played all these matches and are still in a very good position in the league,” he said.
“The facts say we are better than last year.
“I’m also disappointed that we are out of the Champions League.”
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