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30th Jan 2016

Louis van Gaal critical of man of the match Anthony Martial for slow start against Derby

"Very bad"

Simon Lloyd

Manchester United overcame Derby 3-1 in a potentially tricky FA Cup fourth round tie.

The victory relieved some of the pressure on Louis van Gaal whose team became the first to be guaranteed a place in the draw for the fifth round.

Anthony Martial was on hand to set up two of the United goals and received the man of the match award, but Louis van Gaal stopped short of being completely glowing about the young Frenchman’s performance.

Derby County v Manchester United - The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round

Instead of showering his performance in praise, van Gaal chose to the highlight the fact that he felt Martial hadn’t started the game very well.

“The first 20 minutes he was very bad,” said the Dutchman. “Maybe you have noticed that because everyone is saying how fantastic he played – man of the match.

“But you have to play 90 minutes good.

“I have said that already to him otherwise I could not say it to you.

“But after that first 20 minutes he was fantastic.”