Saturday 7 November 2015 16:14, UK
Louis van Gaal would prefer fans to vent their frustration at him rather than the players as goal-shy Manchester United prepare for West Brom’s visit to Old Trafford this weekend.
Third-placed United's 15 league goals this season is the lowest tally among the top seven sides in the Premier League.
The frustration of United fans was evident during Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow when they booed the 66th minute substitution of Marouane Fellaini for Anthony Martial. The supporters also took to singing: "We're Man Utd, we want to attack."
Van Gaal admits supporters are entitled to their opinion, but believes negativity is seeping through to the players.
"The supporters have to support the players otherwise they make it very difficult for the players to play at Old Trafford," the United manager said.
"Criticism from the fans is never unfair because it is the feeling of the fans and you cannot criticise the feelings of the fans. I think we have to play for the fans. But as I have already said the fans also have to understand the game and the resistance of our opponents. They also have to analyse that.
"I can only advise the fans to criticise the manager and not the players. It's very difficult to play for Manchester United with a lot of pressure and if you can taste that in Old Trafford because of all the yelling, then it's not good for my players.
"Then it's better to whistle the manager, I can cope with it because I have had a lot of experience in my life as a manager."
Fans have also questioned the Dutchman's deployment of Wayne Rooney in a number of positions as opposed to using the skipper solely as United's main striker. Van Gaal says Rooney will continue to play in a variety of positions, depending on who United are playing.
He said: "It is dependable of the opponent, the quality of the opponent and dependent of the qualities of his [Rooney's] fellow players in the line-up.
"I have to look for a balance, and that is also why I change players. If I want to bring something else so we can hurt the opponent, it's only because of that, that I try that. This season he is playing more as a second striker than a third midfield player."
Van Gaal also confirmed Antonio Valencia is unavailable for the West Brom game due to injury but there was a more positive update on Morgan Schneiderlin, who trained at Carrington on Friday after a period of illness.
Matteo Darmian is suspended for the visit of Tony Pulis' side after racking up five yellow cards meaning Ashley Young looks set to continue at right-back.
