For some reason Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal thinks that Red Devil’s fans should be happy with the team following their recent form, and suggested that traffic was the reason fans left Old Trafford early during the clubs late 1-0 over Sheffield United in the FA Cup at the weekend rather than the fact they were all bored to death watching a lacklustre display from the 64-year-olds team.
United failed to have a single shot on target against the League One side until the 69th minute and were booed off the pitch at halftime by a crowd who could not believe they had actually paid good money to watch such a miserable performance.
A delusional LVG however believes the fans should be happy following the clubs latest wins after a run that saw them go eight games without a victory.
“You have to be happy as a Manchester United fan that we are in next round and we have won the last two games,” the United manager said during an edgy press conference at Carrington on Monday.
When asked why many of the fans had left the ground early, Van Gaal said: “They are not thinking that we would score, I think, and maybe also because of the traffic.
“There are many reasons. I think the fans have supported our team. It is not an easy time now, (and) the fans were there.
“How many stadiums were like our stadium, full, I think.
“You can mention how they leave, but you can also mention how they come to the stadium to watch this FA Cup match.”
Manchester United travel up to the Northeast today where they will take on a struggling Newcastle United who know they must start to win games in order to have any hope of avoiding relegation, and while LVG will be looking to make it three wins in a row for United, he will be without defensive midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger after the German picked up a knee injury during the latter stages of the match on Saturday.
Also missing for tonight’s game are long-term injured Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia, while Phil Jones is also likely to be absent due to an ankle injury he sustained in the 2-1 win over Swansea City on January 2.
Ashley Young, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick were rested for the FA Cup game because they had played too many matches and were “in the red zone”, according to Van Gaal, but all three will be available for the trip to St James’ Park.
Given the fact United’s next game is against Liverpool, here is how we think the team will line-up for the Magpies, have a look and see if you agree with our selection.
