Van Gaal responds to fans’ fears

Date published: 19 January 2015


LOUIS van Gaal insists he can’t listen to the opinion of every Manchester United fan after hearing a number of supporters vent their frustrations at his tactics against QPR.

United picked up only their third away victory of the season with a 2–0 result over struggling Rangers as goals from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson saw off a spirited display from the home side.

But the visitors only clicked into gear after Van Gaal changed his formation, having opted to start with three central defenders – a system the Dutchman has stuck by for most of his first season in charge at Old Trafford.

United were nowhere near their best in the first half, leading a pocket of supporters to call for a change to 4–4–2. And with the introduction of Wilson in place of Jonny Evans, Van Gaal seemingly listened, with Fellaini's opener coming a minute later.

But after the game Van Gaal defended his original tactics: “I have to look at the players, communicate with the players and observe the players,” he said. “I cannot observe the fans - because how many fans do Manchester United have? You cant take into account 600 million opinions.

“To look at the players, to communicate with the players, to observe, to analyse and so on. That’s my job as a manager.”