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Louis van Gaal admitted he was not shocked after overseeing one of the most humiliating evenings in Manchester United’s recent history. His side were thrashed 4-0 by Milton Keynes Dons in the Capital One Cup and it could have been worse as the League One side missed several other chances and were also denied what seemed a clear penalty.

The defeat overshadowed the British record £59.7m arrival earlier in the day of Ángel di María, who admitted in an open letter that he did not want to leave Real Madrid. Events here also added urgency to United’s quest to sign a midfielder and, possibly, a defender in the closing days of the transfer window. Juventus’ Arturo Vidal, Milan’s Nigel de Jong and Ajax’s Daley Blind, who is also a left-sided defensive player, are all potential targets.

Van Gaal blamed individual errors for “giving the match away”. Of the 11 who started for Manchester United in the draw at Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday, only the goalkeeper David de Gea was retained but there were several senior players in Jonny Evans, Shinji Kagawa, Anderson, Javier Hernández and Danny Welbeck.

“Of course I’m disappointed, but I can analyse this,” the manager said. “I am not shocked because I know what can happen, and I think also that Milton Keynes played very well, very aggressively, and they had also a little bit of luck.”

He also repeated his previous calls for patience from United supporters. “It’s very difficult when you start as manager in the Premier League with a home match loss [to Swansea] and after that a draw [with Sunderland] and then lose a cup match, then for the fans it is very difficult to believe, still believe, in the philosophy of Louis van Gaal. But you have to do that, you have to do that, because I am here to build a new team, and a new team is not built in one month.”

Asked if the signing of Di María indicated he was prepared to change his preference for a 3-4-1-2 formation, Van Gaal said time would tell.
“We have to see in the process, that’s what I’m saying. You cannot [click your fingers] and switch to a new system and then it’s working, you have to train it and it’s a matter of time, the process needs time, so we shall see if with Di María we have to change the system or not.

“I have bought Di María because he can play inside or wide, which is very handy for a coach. When I was coach of Bayern Munich I bought on the 28th August Arjen Robben, and he could also play at the wings or inside, and then I have always the opportunity to change. But that is the process.

“Di María is coming and he will also have to adapt to our culture, our philosophy, he cannot change at the snap of fingers, but he can contribute to the building of a team, every player can do that. Ángel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent. He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence. His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team.”

What Di María, who has signed a five-year contract worth around £200,000 a week, will have made of the display and result on his first evening as a United player is unknown. In his open letter he stated: “Unfortunately I have to go, but I want to make it clear that I never wished to leave. As anyone who works, I’ve always wanted to progress. After winning La Decima, I went to the World Cup expecting to receive a gesture from the directors, which never came. Many things were said and many lies were spoken. The only thing I asked for is for something fair. There are many things I value and salary is not one of them. I hope to get them at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world and I wish to make history.”

If a midfielder and a defender can be acquired by 1 September, Van Gaal will consider United’s summer in the market a success, though he wanted to finish strengthening the squad before the start of the season.

United certainly hope to confirm Di María’s work permit in time for Saturday lunchtime’s trip to Burnley. After completing a medical and the requisite paperwork to seal the deal, Di María said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United. There were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for. Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success. and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top – where it belongs. I cannot wait to get started.” — The Guardian