Manchester: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal applauded football’s stance in the light of the Paris terror attacks as he admitted Friday that his players had been shaken. United had three players involved in the match between France and Germany at the Stade de France a week ago which was targeted in the attacks across Paris in which 129 people were killed.
Anthony Martial will not play for United at Watford on Saturday because of a foot injury sustained in France’s 2-0 defeat to England at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin is available but van Gaal plans to further assess him and German international Bastian Schweinsteiger before deciding whether he can select the pair.
The Dutch coach said: “What they (the players) have to tell me is private but we have communicated. I don’t think I have to mention what our discussions were.
“Martial can’t play because he is injured and Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin can play if we don’t take into account this event that has happened.
“For every human being in this world it’s a big blow. As members of the sport of football we can’t do too much.”
Supporters at Wembley united behind the French nation in mid-week and with the French national anthem being sung before all Premier League matches, van Gaal praised football’s response.
“We can give support in symbols which is a nice thing for the French people, for the victims and the relatives of the victims,” he said.
“I think it can give them force and strength to survive.”
AFP