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| Van Gaal knows United fans will quickly make their feelings known |
MANAGER Louis van Gaal admits PSV Eindhoven bad boy Hector Moreno could be in for a tough night when he faces the Old Trafford crowd on Wednesday night.
Mexican defender Moreno's tackle - deemed reckless by the Manchester United boss - in the earlier Champions League game between the two sides in Holland, led to Luke Shaw being rushed to hospital with a severe double break of the right leg.
It's touch and go whether the England left back plays again this season, meaning his European Championship ambitions for the Three Lions next summer are also in serious doubt.
Moreno will face United again in midweek as Van Gaal's side look for the victory which will stamp their passport into the knockout stages of the competition.
Van Gaal admits the 2-1 defeat in Eindhoven in September was a haunting night for his club, especially the set back for 20-year-old Shaw.
He said: "It was a reckless tackle but I don't think Hector Moreno did it on purpose. He tackled like that because he was challenged by the game.
"The purpose of the challenge was the ball and not the leg. Moreno then scored the equaliser so all this had a major effect on the game."
The following week another x-rated challenge on Heracles player Oussana Tannane brought a withering comment aimed at Moreno with Tannane insisting: "He knows what he did the previous week and against me it was a disgraceful offence."
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| Moreno's tackle on Shaw left him facing a race to recover in time for next summer |
But Van Gaal was in no mood to whip the United fans into a frenzy of seeking revenge, especially considering Moreno visited Shaw in hospital the following day.
Asked if Moreno would suffer a fans black lash Van Gaal stated: "I cannot say. But until this moment the fans of Manchester United have always showed a special character.
"They always support the team. So I don't know about Moreno.
"Luke has shown a fantastic and a very positive attitude to Moreno and he is right to do that.
"We have all seen the tackle. He was going for the ball, but he didn't just get the ball. It was a lousy tackle."
But Shaw's continuing absence is a problem for Van Gaal who revealed that he could be in the market for a left back in the January transfer window.
"I was convinced that he would have a very good season. Shaw was the main player for that position is it was a big blow for us."Van Gaal added.
"Maybe we have to buy a left-back in January. His rehabilitation is going well, but the process can now be very slow.
"That's when you need a very good mental character to continue. I don't know if he will play again this season because we don't know if his recovery will continue to be quick and the doctors won't take any risks, which is good."
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