Manchester United fans may have left early to beat traffic – Van Gaal

By the time Wayne Rooney netted an injury-time victor from the penalty spot against the Blades, thousands of fans had already left the stadium in what appeared to be a show of disapproval.

“When you don’t score in the first 15 minutes, they keep this [approach] in 90 minutes also because they are getting motivation out of the fact we are not scoring”. There are many reasons to leave a stadium at the last minute.

“Then I would leave the stadium five minutes before the end”. Do you know that my primary concern is defense?

Old Trafford was barely two-thirds full by the time Rooney slotted in his spot-kick, many fans having decided they had seen enough. “But we are in the next round”.

Van Gaal has come under attack from all angles in the wake of Saturday’s unconvincing 1-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield United.

“Players for Manchester United have to cope with the pressure of the fans and the media and it’s the same for the manager”, said van Gaal. “But we have won and that is the most important thing in the FA Cup – we have to be in the next round and we are there”.

Van Gaal felt that midfielder Schneiderlin needed rest after the France worldwide played every game during festive fixtures.

“The second half was a little bit better, we created a little bit more but not too much because they were very well organised”. You have to know what they want and how they play. Everybody is different and I don’t believe in yelling from the sidelines.

The Daily Star suggests Louis Van Gaal is on the brink of being axed by Manchester United after the owners have become increasingly frustrated with his displays.

“I am more thinking how we have to attack and improve”.

“You can be very negative, but we are in the next round”, said Van Gaal.

“Van Gaal’s football doesn’t match United’s”. Against Chelsea I enjoyed it but the result was 0-0 and we could have lost.

“Ok, I saw their game against Arsenal and they played very well”.

Van Gaal’s side travel to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United on Tuesday night and will be looking to build on their winning momentum and close the gap on the top four.