Louis Van Gaal has admitted Manchester United were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw against Stoke on New Year’s Day, as he watched his side struggle against the Potters’ physicality.
United fell behind to an early Ryan Shawcross goal and while they fought their back into the game courtesy of Radamel Falcao’s second goal in two games, they never looked comfortable and were forced to hang on for large spells of the game.
“Stoke City deserved more the victory. I cannot say we were the better team,” said Van Gaal.
“We started very badly. When you concede from a set play that you have prepared and they scored the same way we had told, that was a big disappointment.
“But it is difficult to defend when we are not so tall. Steven Nzonzi is taller and Crouch is taller so it is not so easy. We have to play always those kind of games because the opponent is always taller than us.
“It is not the first goal we receive like that.”
However, when asked if he planned to bolster his defensive options in the January transfer window, Van Gaal replied: “No, we want to play another kind of football than Stoke City.”
The draw extended United unbeaten run to 10 games, but the Reds have drawn three of their last four games and have won only twice away from home this season.
“When you want to win the league you have to win away from home, and at the minute we aren’t doing that,”Van Gaal said.
“We aren’t losing, but we aren’t winning either. If you want to be a champion, you have to win these games.”
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