The Dutchman's side eased past Shrewsbury 3-0 with a move inspired by the Danes, as they easily booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says that Europa League opponents Midtjylland taught him a valuable lesson during last Thursday’s 2-1 first-leg loss.
The Dutchman credited Juan Mata’s free kick, which put the Red Devils two goals up against Shrewsbury Town en route to a 3-0 FA Cup success, as being masterminded by the Danish outfit.
United placed three men behind the League One outfit’s wall, and after the free kick was struck the players broke away. Previously, the manager had interpreted that as being offside, but he discovered this is not the case.
“We have learned because we analysed FC Midtjyllandand and we saw they were doing that,” he told BT Sport.
“We thought it was always offside so we asked the referees and they said it’s not offside, you can do that.
“That’s why we have learned about the taking of the free-kicks. Today we scored and that’s good.”
United meet Midtjylland in the Europa League second leg on Thursday at Old Trafford and are favoured to turn around their deficit.
- Goal