Jesse Lingard was a somewhat surprising selection for United in their recent double-header against CSKA, but the winger proved at Old Trafford that he has the pace to ignite many an attack and his assist for Rooney’s goal was exquisite.
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Supporters booed Van Gaal’s decision to substitute Anthony Martial in the 66 minute for Marouane Fellaini, but the United boss says fans should be wary of the negative impact that jeering can have on his team.
“When I started as a 39-year-old coach with Ajax, all the fans were shouting, from the very first day, “Johan Cruyff”, until we won the UEFA Cup and then it was finished”.
I can only advise the fans to criticise the manager and not players.
“It’s better to whistle the manager”.
“I think he (van Gaal) is a very good manager and I think with time he will get it right”.
“I think we have attacked 85 minutes of the 90 so we have given a lot of entertainment”, Van Gaal said.
“It would be lovely to have more ex-managers as pundits on TV who understand the game and understand what managers have to go through, what they deal to deal with and what they don’t have to deal with before giving their opinions”.
Manchester United host West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford tomorrow and hoping to avoid another setback. The Baggies have won five out of their last nine games going into last season.
The former United midfielder said last week that he would not want to play in the current set up at Old Trafford because of Van Gaal’s tactics.
But Van Gaal credited “Michael Smalling” with the key intervention in his post-match press conference, rather than Chris.
Wayne Rooney has undoubtedly been one of the greatest strikers in the Premier League over the past decade but the consensus among pundits and former pros is that it is time for England’s record goal scorer to drop into a deeper role.
“When you have two teams attacking, it’s easier to score goals”. That is why he has more credits than any other player and I have explained that already to the group a year and a half ago.
“Maybe the people outside see only in the pitch, but he is also very very important outside for everyone”.
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Van Gaal accepts that expectations are high at the club and has challenged his players to cope with the pressure of sustaining a title challenge this season. I’m sorry to say that, but it’s logical also. We didn’t have lots of possession, just as in the first game in Moscow (a 1-1 draw).
