Manchester United fans have been used to attacking football

Manchester United fans have been used to attacking football for almost 3 decades now. Hence, they are not taking the defensive tactics of manager Louis van Gaal easily.

The Dutchman has come under criticism almost since he came as a replacement for David Moyes. The criticism shows no signs of dying down even after the latest win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. The 1-0 victory keeps United in the hunt for a last 16 spot, which is very important especially after the opening group game defeat against PSV Eindhoven. In order to achieve a victory with a clean sheet, United opted for defensive tactics.

They certainly did not go down well with the United faithful, who made their feelings known. Sites such as Tranfer Rumours have since been full of stories about new managers coming in, and LVG being sacked. Manager Louis van Gaal, though, was not concerned since he believed that going out as a hero is much more important. The Dutchman is looking to turn United into winning team once again. He has already hinted that his current contract with the Red Devils will be his last since he wants to take a break from the game. Van Gaal still has 18 months left on his existing deal. Van Gaal has recalled the experiences with the fans at his former clubs. They also used to criticise him but he was successful there.

“My first year when I started as a 39-year-old coach with Ajax, all the fans were shouting, from the very first day, the name Johan Cruyff, until we won the Uefa Cup and then it was finished.In Barça we had white handkerchiefs –my second period in Barcelona [2002-03] it was always the white handkerchiefs. In Bayern Munich, I had the same in my second year [2010-11] so I, as a manager, am used to these negative things, I think. But the number of fans is, of course, much higher with Manchester United, because we have the most fans in the world,” said Van Gaal.