Louis van Gaal insisted that Manchester United will always be a bigger club than Tottenham Hotspur despite watching his side lose 3-0 at White Hart Lane yesterday.
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And that is why the Dutchman turned down the chance to manage Spurs in favour of taking over at United, he is quoted as telling Sky Sports – something that he apologised for.
Spurs fans will not be too regretful. Mauricio Pochettino was Daniel Levy’s fallback option and has worked wonders in North London to make Tottenham title contenders.
Goals in the space of seven second-half minutes from Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela secured Spurs a victory which cut the gap on Leicester City to seven points.
The Red Devils are fifth in the table and face failing to qualify for the Champions League, but Van Gaal described questions of United’s stature compared to Spurs as “pathetic”.
“In the balance, we are still ahead. The challenge is always bigger in a bigger club,” he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“I like also to sign for Tottenham Hotspur. Daniel Levy knows that. But the challenge was bigger at Manchester United and shall always be bigger.
“I am sorry for Tottenham but Manchester United will always be the bigger club. I think it is a little bit pathetic that you ask that because they have won 3-0. It is easy to ask that but it is okay, you enjoy yourself.”
This appears to be a very petty response to being well beaten by the better side. Van Gaal could have credited Spurs for their victory, but instead resorted to a childish cheap shot.
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