Louis Van Gaal sticking to old script in new year

Louis van Gaal thinks Manchester United fans should be happy with their team's recent form and suggested that traffic around Old Trafford – rather than disaffection – was one of the reasons why many so many supporters left before the end of the dull 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

Thousands of fans streamed out of the stadium on Saturday evening before the end of the FA Cup third-round tie, which the hosts won thanks to a penalty three minutes into stoppage time from Wayne Rooney.

United did not register a shot on target against the League One side until the 69th minute and were booed off at the break.

But Van Gaal insists supporters should be happy with the way their team have returned to winning ways in recent weeks following a run of eight matches without 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 yesterday.

When asked why many had left the stadium 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, 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.”

Former United star Paul Scholes tore into Van Gaal after the final whistle, claiming the players and the manager looked "bored".

But Van Gaal refused to respond to the outspoken former United midfielder on the eve of his team's trip to Newcastle.

The Dutchman snapped: “What do I have to do now? React to Paul Scholes? Do you want that?”

Scholes' jibes may not have hurt Van Gaal, but the United boss seems to have been affected by the ironic cheers that came when Memphis Depay fired a low shot wide just after he came on in the 60th minute and when Sheffield United goalkeeper George Long made his first save of the match from Matteo Darmian.

“Yeah, I can understand that,” Van Gaal said. “Because it was that we were not shooting too much or not able to shoot at the goal so much. That they are ironic, I can imagine.”

Van Gaal repeated the claim he made after the match on Saturday that it was always going to be hard playing against Sheffield United despite the fact that they are ninth in League One having lost to the likes of Crewe, Bury and Colchester this season.

“I think that you always need to take into account how your opponent plays,” he said. “They defended with 10 behind the ball. It is not easy.”

Right direction

The 64-year-old used a well-worn phrase to illustrate his claim that United are steadily heading in the right direction under his leadership.

“It is a process,” he added.

“I have said many times, we are in that process. We have ups and downs. We have won two times in a row.”

Van Gaal's hopes of registering a third win in succession have been hit by an injury to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who will miss tonight's game at Newcastle because of a knee problem he suffered in the dying stages of Saturday's match.

Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are unavailable because of long-term injuries while Phil Jones is likely to miss out because of an ankle problem he sustained in the 2-1 win over Swansea on January 2nd.

Ashley Young, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick were rested for Saturday's game because they had played too many matches and were "in the red zone", according to Van Gaal, but all three could return for tonight's trip to St James' Park.

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has a series of injury doubts ahead of his side’s clash with Van Gaal’s side.

Hamstring problem

Skipper Fabricio Coloccini is struggling with a hamstring problem, as are fellow defender Kevin Mbabu (thigh) and midfielder Florian Thauvin (ankle), although midfielder Jack Colback (also hamstring) has returned to training.

Winger Rolando Aarons (foot) and striker Emmanuel Riviere (knee) are back in contention and defender Steven Taylor (also hamstring) and striker Papiss Cisse (groin) are also close to a return.

But keeper Tim Krul (knee ligaments), defender Massadio Haidara (knee) and midfielders Gabriel Obertan and Vurnon Anita (both hamstring) remain on the sidelines.