Manchester United has struggled to get on since the beginning of the season with just a point out of a possible six.
The 2013 English Premier League champions are looking to get back on track and make a top four finish after a 2013/2014 disastrous campaign.
Louis Van Gaal said on appointment that it will take some time for the team to settle down and get used to his philosophy giving about three months as adaptation period.
Manchester United had Robin Van Persie back in the team after a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea on the first day of the League campaign.
However, this added little to a lacklustre performance by the Reds who struggled throughout the game with misplaced passing, slow tempo and lack of coordination.
Although the match ended 1-1, Manchester United never really threatened except for Juan Mata’s 16th minute goal which came after a brief spell of attacking display by the home side.
With Robin Van Persie, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney, United couldn’t find a way through and the inclusion of Adnan Januzaj and Danny Welbeck did little in changing the tiring display by the Red Devils.
Manager Louis van Gaal felt a lack of tempo caused by wayward passing which he termed as the major reason Manchester United was unable to beat Sunderland on Sunday.
The manager was however pleased with a much improved performance in the second half when Adnan Januzaj and Danny Welbeck came on as substitutes but was highly frustrated with the squad’s inability to come up with the decisive pass in the final third.
The manager was infuriated with his team giving away needless set pieces which they paid the price for when Jack Rodwell headed in Larsson’s corner kick but stressed his team’s lack of tempo gave the game away.
Manchester United had two penalty appeal turned down and Ashley was booked for diving in the process but the manager think otherwise also concede the fact that Ashley Young exaggerated but only after he was fouled by former United defender, Wes Brown.
Louis Van Gaal believes the referee should have given peanalty when Robin Van Persie was fouled in the eighteen yard box but accepted the fact that his team will need to be highly creative in coming games rather than rely on penalties if they are to get important points.
Juan Mata scored the only goal of the match for Manchester United making it his 7th goal in the last eight competitive matches for the club.
The midfielder will hope to continue his run of form when Manchester United plays Burnley next weekend.
