London (AFP) – Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal highlighted his record of having won trophies in four countries after his side beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Palace took a 78th-minute lead through Jason Puncheon, but Juan Mata equalised within three minutes before substitute Jesse Lingard slammed home a memorable extra-time winner to give United a record-equalling 12th FA Cup.
Van Gaal has been pilloried throughout the season and continues to face speculation that he could lose his job, but after previous trophy successes in his native Holland, Spain and Germany, he was characteristically quick to trumpet his latest achievement.
“It is fantastic to win this title for the club, for the fans and also for me, because I now have won the cup in four countries, and not many managers have done that,” the 64-year-old told BT Sport.
United’s victory came despite them having had to play Bournemouth on Tuesday in a game held over from the previous weekend due to a bomb scare at Old Trafford, as well as an extra-time red card for Chris Smalling, who was dismissed for two bookable offences.
“With 10 players, and we have played Tuesday evening also, but we have deserved it, I think,” Van Gaal added. “It was a super goal, eh?”
