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Van Gaal thrilled by 'incredible' Bayern

"Incredible" was how Louis van Gaal summed up FC Bayern München's 2-1 win over Manchester United FC while Sir Alex Ferguson found consolation in the English side's away goal.

Van Gaal thrilled by 'incredible' Bayern
Van Gaal thrilled by 'incredible' Bayern ©UEFA.com

Louis van Gaal is in no doubt FC Bayern München deserved their 2-1 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg win against Manchester United FC thanks to Franck Ribéry's deflected free-kick and Ivica Olić's last-gasp winner. Sir Alex Ferguson said United's performance was "disappointing" but believes their early away goal will prove useful in next Wednesday's return and is hopeful the man that scored it, Wayne Rooney, is not too seriously injured.

Louis van Gaal, Bayern coach
[Conceding so early] was incredible, but it happens. Then it was incredible how we played against such a big European team. We were already superior in the first half, but in the second period we tried everything. We gave our all, had a positive approach and I am very proud of my players.

We really deserved this win. The goal against us was a shock. We took ten minutes to recover, then we were the better side. The equaliser with a deflected free-kick was definitely lucky. But then Olic excelled with the winner. We have a chance to succeed in Manchester as we are always capable of scoring a goal away from home.

Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager
We didn't play well enough and kept giving the ball away. That's been a major part of our game over the last few years. We caused our own defeat really but Bayern were the better team and we can't complain about that. It's just a disappointing performance possession-wise. You have to give them credit, they pressed everywhere and it was a big effort from them. Nevertheless, we're better than that, are better in possession of the ball. We kept giving it away and that was our downfall. They had a bit of luck with the first goal, with the deflection, but they got a break and these things happen. The last goal was terrible to give away.

It will be a different game at Old Trafford. We'll certainly be much better, there's no question about that. We won't be giving the ball away as we did tonight and hopefully we can recover. We've got the away goal, which is an advantage, and we'll be going out to win the game.

[Rooney] has got a kick in the ankle. We'll just have to wait and see tomorrow but hopefully it's not too serious. He's maybe doubtful for Saturday but it's too early to say. It's an ankle injury and he's being treated by our medics at the moment.

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