LOUIS VAN GAAL insists keeping up the pressure in the fight for Champions League places was the most important thing after seeing his tired Manchester United side turn in a below-par display against Everton.
Anthony Martial scored the only goal at Old Trafford to move United back within a point of fourth-placed Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League with their Dutch coach raising a lack of zip in the legs as a problem.
"Today was not our best form because I think we were not fresh enough,” he said. “We had three days preparation more or less - much more than against (Manchester) City or Arsenal.
"You never know as a manager how players are coming back from the international break. We gave them one day more off than usual, but we started not fresh. Everton were much fresher and you could see that in the pitch.
"I have said in the dressing-room that it was very important to win today. Otherwise, the victory against City was worthless.
"We keep in touch with City, one point behind, and we keep in touch with Arsenal, five points behind. We have to play Tottenham, not an easy match, but normally we play very well against the top teams.
“If we continue like that, I will be very happy."
United's 54th-minute goal was set up by full-back Tim Fosu-Mensah, who had come off the bench to replace the ineffective Marcos Rojo.
Rojo endured a torrid time in the first half, particularly when up against Gerard Deulofeu and van Gaal thought he, in particular, was feeling the effects of international duty.
"I think Rojo had a problem with his jetlag, so I changed him,” he said. “I saw the space on the right side and I said to Timothy that you have to take profit of that.
"When a player does that, it is a bit of luck for the manager, but every credit is for Timothy, not the manager."
Everton matched United in most departments, but defeat strengthened the sense of under-achievement that has enveloped their Premier League campaign.
The Merseysiders remain 12th in the table and were booed off by their own fans at the final whistle.
"We all are (booing),” said the Spaniard. “I think you could hear our boos in the dressing-room. It is exactly the same.
"We are a club in which there has been a bit of a change of generation. A lot of players have come in, but incredible young talent needs know-how and lessons to develop.
"The frustration we all have is we can see the quality we have in our squad and we can't really gain some sort of momentum, but 1984 is the last time we got into the semi-finals of the two domestic cups and this generation can make us very successful."
"The first half was probably exactly what we were looking for, but we didn't use opportunities for great one-on-ones well enough. In the second half, we got into a comfortable mood, but we switched off with an unfortunate, easy goal to concede.
"That moment was a massive blow. You don't expect to concede when you are well in the game."
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