Van Gaal proud of Man Utd flops despite League Cup embarrassment

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is proud of his players despite the fact they were knocked out of the League Cup by Championship outfit Middlesbrough on Wednesday. 

Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young all missed from 12 yards as the Dutchman saw his side eliminated in the round-of-16 via a penalty shoot-out.

Aitor Karanka's men will now host Roberto Martinez's for a place in the semi-final.

"You can say it is unlucky [to have lost], as I said after the match against [Manchester] City also, but you have to force the luck," Van Gaal said.

"We didn't do that, because we didn't score — but my players have given everything.

"That's why I am also proud of them because they have done it until the end.”

However, with Chelsea and Arsenal exiting the competition on Tuesday, the United boss did admit he was upset to no longer be in the running for the trophy.

"I'm disappointed we are out, that we are so close and we are still out,” he continued.

“I thought we didn't play so well in the first half, but in the second half we had much more chances and you have to finish them.

“In extra-time we had more better chances, but when you are not finishing the chances, easy chances in front of the goalkeeper, it is difficult to win games.”

In the end, United were beaten by what Van Gaal referred to as the “casino” of penalties, with three men with England experience all letting them down.

The 64-year-old, though, felt that the game should perhaps not have made it that far, suggesting his side should have been awarded multiple spot kicks during the match.

“One in extra-time for hand ball? We had more than three penalty cases,” he added.

Next up for United is a trip to Crystal Palace — who were beaten 5-1 by Manchester City on Wednesday — in the Premier League.

Looking ahead to that game, Van Gaal backed his “top sportsmen” to pick themselves up in time as they attempt to keep pace with City and Arsenal at the top of the table.