Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was far from content with his sides victory over Aston Villa and insists they must start finishing games earlier.Marcus Rashfords seventh goal of the season was enough to seal a 1-0 win and three crucial points in the hunt for a top-four place, while confirming Villas relegation to the Championship.But Van Gaal said his side need to up their tempo and take their chances if they are to build momentum and clinch a Champions League spot in the final five games of the campaign. Marcus Rashford scored his seventh goal of the season in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford I was not so pleased with the performance because I think we played too slowly, Van Gaal told Sky Sports.I know it is difficult against a defensively organised team like Aston Villa - they were very compact - but then you need quick possession play and the gaps will exist. We could not do that today.I was happy with the first goal - an important goal. It was a very good switch by Wayne Rooney and a very good assist from Antonio Valencia. He saw Marcus running to the near post and, at the right time, gave the pass. It was superb. Juan Mata was delighted Wayne Rooney has returned to the starting line-up But we have to finish much earlier and then the game will be over and Aston Villa would not show the same motivation at the end, because they were still in the race for a draw.City beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge leaving United three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand. Rooneys impressive return Wayne Rooney impresses on return from injury for Manchester United against Aston Villa But Van Gaal said: Of course we are very much in the race for Champions League football and we also take a distance over Southampton and West Ham, who play tomorrow. The three points are very important for us.Momentum is starting when there is a fantastic performance. West Ham was a very good performance, but not fantastic. We have to finish the games earlier, and we didnt do that.Also See:Match reportRooneys impressive returnMan Utd statsGet a £10 free bet!Custom Warriors Jersey China . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Cheap Warriors Jerseys . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. http://www.customwarriorsjersey.com/ . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Custom Warriors T-shirts . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Custom Warriors Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team.SAN FRANCISCO -- Things have become so bad for the San Francisco Giants that Bruce Bochy is second-guessing his own managerial decisions. Madison Bumgarner is lost for any explanation as to why the San Francisco Giants have been so inconsistent in the second half.Everybody knows one thing: There isnt much time left and there must be an immediate turnaround to become a playoff team. When youre losing and trying to hold on, scoreboard watching can be excruciating.Bumgarner (14-9) missed a chance at his milestone 100th career win and the Giants wasted another chance for a potential push in the NL West, losing to the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Wednesday to be swept by the divisions second-to-last-place club.This was a big series. Theyre all big, Bochy said. ...You take responsibility when things arent going well. Its always on your mind ... something you could have done a little bit differently. Its human nature. I think every manager or coach will tell you that. We wear it pretty hard.The division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees later Wednesday, increasing their division lead to five games. On Tuesday night, San Franciscos bullpen blew a three-run lead in the ninth and the Giants failed to gain ground.Now, they must regroup to host St. Louis for an important four-game set starting Thursday night among playoff contenders and wild-card candidates. San Francisco has won the World Series in every even year this decade: 2010, `12 and `14.Theres a lot of pressure this time of year, Bumgarner said. Its more of a mindset this time of year.Luis Perdomo (8-9) allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings of four-hit ball. He struck out five with one walk. The 23-year-old right-hander who the Padres acquired in the Rule 5 draft from the Cardinals has given up three runs or fewer in 11 of his last 15 starts.Brandon Maurer finished for his 10th save.It was the same story for San Francisco of late with missed opportunities and mistakes.Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth, San Franciscos Denard Span was picked off trying to get back to first after drawing a two-out walk.Spans base-running blunder was the Giants second on the day. Brandon Belt was doubled up at second base in the bottom of the second on Conor Gillaspies liner to first.ddddddddddddBumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, allowed seven hits and three runs, all earned, with five strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.When he takes his next turn, the lefty again would try to become the third-youngest Giants pitcher reach 100 victories.Luis Sardinas had an RBI single among his three hits for San Diego, while Wil Myers added a double.The Giants lost their sixth straight to San Diego -- outscored 29-15 -- after winning the initial nine matchups of 2016.San Francisco was swept by the Padres for the second time this season, after dropping three in a row at Petco Park to begin the second half. San Diego earned its first sweep at AT&T Park since May 2010.Its not this big macro statement about where we are in the season and what were trying to accomplish, Padres manager Andy Green said. Its not playing spoiler or anything like that.POSEYS PLEDGEBefore the game, Giants catcher Buster Posey and ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale teamed up to discuss their pledge to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer research. Posey and wife Kristen were set to host a benefit at the ballpark for The V Foundations Buster and Kristen Posey Pediatric Cancer Research Award.TRAINERS ROOMPadres: RHP Jarred Cosart (hamstring, groin) still is in the plans to start Sundays series finale at Colorado or by Monday at home against Arizona at the latest.Giants: 1B Brandon Belt returned from an illness that kept him out Tuesday night. ... RHP Derek Law was activated from the 15-day disabled list on his 26th birthday after he missed 15 games with a strained right elbow.UP NEXTPadres: LHP Christian Friedrich (5-10, 4.67) will pitch the series opener in Colorado on Friday. Friedrichs most recent start was arguably his best this year. He struck out a season-high 10 batters and allowed one walk in seven shutout innings of two-hit ball against the Rockies.Giants: RHP Johnny Cueto (15-5, 2.90) starts the opener of a four-game series against St. Louis. Cueto is 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA over his last five starts. Hes 6-8 with a 3.88 ERA in 21 career starts against the Cardinals. ' ' '