Louis van Gaal has told Manchester United supporters to aim their criticism at him and not the players following numerous lacklustre performances from his side.
After three consecutive goalless draws, Wayne Rooney netted United’s first goal in over five hours of football in the 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night.
Supporters booed Van Gaal’s decision to substitute Anthony Martial in the 66th minute for Marouane Fellaini, but the United boss says fans should be wary of the negative impact that jeering can have on his team.
“The supporters have to support the players otherwise they make it very difficult for the players to play at Old Trafford,” he said.
“It’s very difficult to play for Manchester United with a lot of pressure and when you can taste that in Old Trafford because of all the yelling, then it’s not good for all my players.
“It’s better to whistle at the manager. I can cope with it because I have had a lot of experience in it as my life as a manager.”
United face West Brom at Old Trafford tomorrow and Tony Pulis’s side are the only team in the Premier League to have registered fewer shots on goal than the Red Devils this season.
The Baggies have kept clean sheets in four of their five away games this campaign and Van Gaal says it can be difficult to break down teams with the way they set-up against his side.
“When you have two teams attacking, it’s easier to score goals. That’s why other coaches play these tactics against us, because then we have more difficulties and they are relying always on the counter-attack and they put in the players who are fast.
“The fans also have to understand the game and the resistance of our opponents. They also have to analyse that.”
Morgan Schneiderlin missed the win over CSKA Moscow in midweek through illness and will be assessed before the game.
With Antonio Valencia out with a thigh injury and Matteo Darmian suspended Ashley Young is set to cover at right-back.
Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher are expected to feature against United for the first time as the Baggies look to win at Old Trafford for the third successive season.
Image courtesy of BT Sport via YouTube, with thanks.
