confidence would be "smashed" after the worst possible start to his
reign at Old Trafford.United, who won six friendlies under Van Gaal in
pre-season, began their Premier League campaign with a shock 2-1 home
defeat by Swansea.
Van Gaal said: "When you have preparation, win everything, then lose
your first match, it cannot be worse.
"We have built up a lot of confidence. It will be smashed because of this."
Swansea's victory was their first in their history in the league at
Old Trafford, and saw United lose at home on the opening day of the
season for the first time in 42 years, since Ipswich beat them 3-2 in
1972.
It was a defeat and performance reminiscent of United's struggles at
home last season, when they lost seven league matches under David
Moyes and were beaten by the Swans in the FA Cup.
On top of United's failure to strengthen their squad significantly
since Van Gaal's arrival in July, their list of injured or unfit
players meant he gave debuts to two academy graduates - Tyler Blackett
and Jesse Lingard.
With Luke Shaw injured, United could field only one summer signing,
£29m midfielder Ander Herrera.
But Van Gaal swatted away suggestions that the display and defeat
against the Welsh side will make him step up efforts to strengthen his
side before the transfer window shuts on 2 September.
"Yes, I need new faces but I thought that before this match anyway," he said.
"When we were playing in the United States I thought the same. I know
the positions where we need better players."
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