Manchester United held a deep hour-long inquest into their dismal 5-3 defeat to Leicester, Robin van Persie has revealed.
Manager Louis van Gaal was unhappy with his team’s performance at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, where they conceded four goals in the last 28 minutes, and told his squad to meet for a detailed debrief 24 hours later.
Van Persie said “confronting” views were exchanged during the meeting as they look to improve following their worst start to a Premier League campaign.
United had led 3-1 thanks to Van Persie’s first goal of the season, and strikes from Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera, but collapsed to defeat late on.
“It shouldn’t be possible, but it still happened,” Van Persie said ahead of today’s home game against West Ham.
“So we have to deal with it. We had a proper look at it the next day.
“Sometimes it was a bit confronting. It was a really good meeting as everyone spoke up and shared their feelings.
“It was a long meeting, one hour or something meeting, but we went from there, started again this week and a couple of really good sessions in and everyone feels ready to face West Ham.”
Spirits were high before the start of the season following United’s successful tour of the United States, but Van Gaal has endured a poor start to life in England.
The former Ajax and Bayern Munich manager has recorded just one win so far, against relegation candidates QPR.
Defeat to West Ham would raise further questions about Van Gaal’s ability to take United back into the Champions League – and the manager has not been helped by a defensive injury crisis ahead of the visit of Sam Allardyce’s side.
Summer signing Marcos Rojo is United’s only fit centre-back as Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are injured while Tyler Blackett is missing through suspension.
Left-back Luke Shaw is expected to make his debut, while teenage defender Paddy McNair could also be involved.
At the other end of the pitch, Van Gaal has no such worries thanks to his summer recruitment drive.
Last week the Dutchman deployed Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and loan signing Radamel Falcao in a three-pronged attack to good effect.
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