Manchester United have had a tendency to play really well against the better teams in the Premier League this season. For the first half at Tottenham Hotspur, they sort of acquiesced to that pattern. Then came the 69′-75′ stretch in the second half, when Spurs got a collective hat trick from Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela (video here).
At that point, supporters were thinking that maybe United should have just stayed in the London traffic jam, instead of getting off the bus.
You knew then just how the post match media sessions with Louis van Gaal would be:
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/719209144151064581
Sure enough, Van Gaal was there throwing shade at both Tottenham Hotspur and a reporter who asked him a question about the north London club. We were reminded that LVG was the first choice of Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy before he eventually settled on Mauricio Pochettino.
Thus, Van Gaal did the condescending apology routine in response to a query about that situation. He also said that United is, and always will be, a bigger club than Tottenham. Then he blatantly insulted the reporter who asked the question.
“In the balance, we are still ahead. The challenge is always bigger in a bigger club,” Van Gaal said.
“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.”
Whoah!!! Dude that is not cool, on so many levels. We know that Van Gaal is not shy about putting reporters in their place when they ask stupid questions, but this was a legitimate, important query. There was absolutely no reason for the Dutchman to be so curt and defensive here.
Not that this is at all surprising. Remember a few months ago when Van Gaal called a reporter fat just as he was exiting a crowded a press conference…well, here’s how that journalist responded.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram