Van Gaal: Fans are right to boo us

But I can not see anything happening with Van Gaal because, quite simply, if United wanted to get rid of him they would have done it by now. I had the fear already in advance with every change I did as we became weaker in the defence because [Marouane] Fellaini is a tall guy, [Matteo] Darmian is also a defender and he was out.

An inviting cross from the right flank presented Charlie Austin with a dream debut for the visitors and he powered home an unstoppable header three minutes from time.

“Even though we have had very good results in January, we could not show that confidence in this game”.

“I don’t disagree that Giggs has to prove himself”.

Manchester United’s season has “undoubtedly been one of underachievement”, according to the club’s former chief executive David Gill. The £4million signing lost his marker and powered in Ward-Prowse’s free-kick before Van Gaal walked down the touchline to boos and whistles from the home fans.

As 20-times English champions Manchester United were losing at home to Southampton, pre-season relegation favourites Leicester moved three points clear of Arsenal with 15 games remaining. “I have seen the match also and I can not deny it but also in better or for worse, you have to stick together”.

“First they have sacked me and now they are interfering in my future”.

Wideman Jesse Lingard, whose focus was more on defending than supporting Manchester United FC’s attacks, saw a tame shot go wide from a rare foray forward.

He was frozen out at by Louis van Gaal after refusing to play for the club’s Under-21s last season.

Rumours that Jose Mourinho could replace Van Gaal have intensified over the weekend, but Gill – who played a key role in Alex Ferguson’s numerous United successes – has called for calm.

Having overcome a hard period through December, the Red Devils are back under pressure as Van Gaal was left to bemoan another injury which he believed affected their momentum in the clash with the Saints.

Southampton repeated their success in the corresponding fixture last season when a Dusan Tadic goal gave them their first league victory at Old Trafford in 27 years.

While the results have not been good, the biggest gripe for United’s fans is the ponderous, boring style that the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has installed at Old Trafford.

United’s defensive crisis worsened, meanwhile, after Matteo Darmian came off clutching his chest following an aerial collision with Long.