LOUIS VAN GAAL insists fans left Old Trafford early to beat the traffic - not because they were bored with Manchester United’s style of play.
 |
| Man fans left Old Trafford early on Saturday, before Rooney (bottom left) scored the winner |
Thousands left United’s FA Cup tie against Sheffield United on Saturday long before Wayne Rooney’s winning penalty in added time.
But Van Gaal said: “The fans support our team and it’s not an easy time now. How many stadiums were like ours, full?
"You can mention how they leave [early] but you can also mention how they come.
“They are thinking that we could not score and maybe because of the traffic to leave a few minutes earlier. There are many reasons to leave the stadium.
“When I have been to matches to analyse our opponent then I leave the stadium five minutes before. You never know the reason.
"You can be very negative but we are in the next round, we have won two matches on the back of a very bad period.”
Van Gaal had no issue with the ironic cheers that greeted United’s first serious effort on goal when Memphis Depay shot a yard wide but said observers have to take into account the opposition, pointing out the Blades made it difficult for his team by playing 11 men behind the ball and showing no adventure.
“I can understand that [the ironic cheers] because it was an effect that we were not shooting too much and not able to shoot at goal too much," he added. "That they were ironic I can imagine.
“But in a match you need two teams to play. You’re always take how your opponent is playing into account.
"Ours was defending with players behind the ball, it’s not easy. Maybe when it was a game between Premier League clubs then it would have been different.
“That’s what is nice about the FA Cup. The lower level clubs give everything to make a result.
"It’s why everybody [around the world] looks at this Cup.
“It’s not easy to win against a defending team with 11 players. When you analyse the game you can see that.
"They are getting motivation out of us not scoring."
But Van Gaal is looking for an improvement at Newcastle tomorrow.
“I think I’m thinking how we have to attack and improve. It’s a process I’ve said many, many times.
"We have ups and downs, but now we’ve won twice in a row and maybe it’ll give us a boost.
“Newcastle are playing very well. When I saw the match against Arsenal they played very well but they didn’t win - that’s the most important thing. We have to beat them.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger is out of the game after suffering an ankle injury on Saturday. Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick are set for recalls as is Memphis who impressed as a substitute on Saturday and won United's late penalty.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus