Louis van Gaal Mocked By Fans

There is a sound track developing at Old Trafford as fans cup their hands to mouths and release an almighty shriek in unison. Booing, they’re getting pretty used to it around these parts.

It’s becoming finely tuned and those who turn up every week and watch a labourious Manchester United team are sick of the supposed conductors before them. A section booed at full-time as Louis van Gaal’s side trudged down the tunnel, they booed at the manager’s substitutions. This is a joyless stadium nowadays and Sheffield United boss Nigel Adkins needed to hold serious decorum by suggesting the fear factor had not completely dissipated.

For Van Gaal, the performances really do not matter. He admits that players and himself need thick skins to deal with the criticism being chucked their way but refuses to sign anyone who could offer impetus into a team treading water. Perhaps that will grow further after Ed Woodward decided against sacking him over the festive period. Van Gaal can crow over results at home - they have lost just once at Old Trafford this campaign but he was being gently mocked by his own on Saturday night.

Memphis Depay, derided by many during his debut season, proved the difference off the bench. But instead of his match-defining drive into the box to win a late penalty leaving the indelible mark, it was a dangerous 30-yard shot to eventually fly wide in the 65th minute providing the takeaway moment of such a slender win. Momentarily the fans stopped booing. They cheered sarcastically at the absurdity of it all: United had actually tried their luck at goal.