Louis van Gaal says he was 'forced' into signing Memphis Depay.
The Manchester United manager landed the PSV Eindhoven forward, 21, on Thursday in a deal thought to be worth £25million.
Speaking ahead of his side's trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday he revealed he would have rather have waited until the end of the season but had to act quickly to stop the player from joining Paris Saint-Germain.
PSV winger Memphis Depay (centre) has agreed to join Manchester United in a £25million deal this summer
Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney (L-R) race each other in training on Friday afternoon
Manchester United duo Radamel Falcao (left) and Robin van Persie prepare to face Crystal Palace
'I have been forced to sign him,' said Van Gaal. 'I don't want to sign him before the end of the season because we have to focus on our games and when you sign a player you disturb the focus of your present group.
'The coming matches are very important for Manchester United and for all of the players, but because of the market I must handle (it now), because otherwise he had signed for Paris St Germain and that's why I signed Memphis Depay.
But we have to speak about Crystal Palace and not about Memphis Depay or (David) De Gea or something like that.'
Van Gaal, who revealed a virus has been sweeping the club, added that his own personal intervention prevented Depay, the Dutch league's top scorer, from heading to France.
'I don't want to speak with players before the season has ended,' he said. 'I have also a feeling to my players, but now because of the close relationship with the management of PSV I could handle it.'
Van Gaal also congratulated champions Chelsea and added that he was not disappointed that old friend Jose Mourinho had given his side four days off before they play Liverpool, United's rivals for a top-four spot.
'I have sent him a message but I don't know if the message has arrived because I know he changes (phone) number a lot,' he said.
'It was well deserved, I think, when you see the statistics you cannot doubt they are the real champions.'
Michael Carrick will not play again this season after suffering a calf injury at Old Trafford last month
Van Gaal also revealed that Michael Carrick was out for the season and that Marcus Rojo was not likely to make the squad for Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park.
He added that Jonny Evans may take a place on the bench and that James Wilson had been suffering from the virus.
PSV winger Memphis Depay (centre) has agreed to join Manchester United in a £25million deal this summer
Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney (L-R) race each other in training on Friday afternoon
Manchester United duo Radamel Falcao (left) and Robin van Persie prepare to face Crystal Palace
'I have been forced to sign him,' said Van Gaal. 'I don't want to sign him before the end of the season because we have to focus on our games and when you sign a player you disturb the focus of your present group.
'The coming matches are very important for Manchester United and for all of the players, but because of the market I must handle (it now), because otherwise he had signed for Paris St Germain and that's why I signed Memphis Depay.
But we have to speak about Crystal Palace and not about Memphis Depay or (David) De Gea or something like that.'
Van Gaal, who revealed a virus has been sweeping the club, added that his own personal intervention prevented Depay, the Dutch league's top scorer, from heading to France.
'I don't want to speak with players before the season has ended,' he said. 'I have also a feeling to my players, but now because of the close relationship with the management of PSV I could handle it.'
Van Gaal also congratulated champions Chelsea and added that he was not disappointed that old friend Jose Mourinho had given his side four days off before they play Liverpool, United's rivals for a top-four spot.
'I have sent him a message but I don't know if the message has arrived because I know he changes (phone) number a lot,' he said.
'It was well deserved, I think, when you see the statistics you cannot doubt they are the real champions.'
Michael Carrick will not play again this season after suffering a calf injury at Old Trafford last month
Van Gaal also revealed that Michael Carrick was out for the season and that Marcus Rojo was not likely to make the squad for Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park.
He added that Jonny Evans may take a place on the bench and that James Wilson had been suffering from the virus.
No comments:
Post a Comment