Van Gaal: Our fans are happy

LOUIS van Gaal has lashed out at Sam Allardyce over his “long–ball United” dig and claims Manchester United fans are happy with the team’s playing style.

Allardyce came up with the moniker for Van Gaal’s team on Sunday after the United boss scraped a 1–1 draw at Upton Park. The Dutchman introduced Marouane Fellaini as a second-half sub and several long passes were subsequently lofted to the 6ft 4in midfielder.

“We couldn’t cope with long–ball United,” Allardyce said. “It was thump it forward and see what they could get.”

Van Gaal has kept his notoriously fiery temper in check for most of his tenure as United manager. But Allardyce clearly overstepped the mark.

“This is not a good interpretation of Big Sam,” Van Gaal said during a press conference in advance of tonight’s match with Burnley

He produced statistics showing West Ham had actually launched more long balls forward than United.

Van Gaal insists he has had very few complaints about United’s style of play from the club’s fans.