by Simon Williams
at Old Trafford

Louis van Gaal claimed on Saturday that he doesn’t need reminding about how his Manchester United side should be playing by the clubs supporters.

The Dutchman was speaking after his side’s struggled to a 2-0 victory over West Brom at Old Trafford.

As in recent games, United dominated possession but had to wait until the 52nd minute for Jesse Lingard to break the deadlock with his first senior goal for the club.

Substitute Saido Berahino missed a fantastic opportunity to draw his side level late on when he headed over from close range.

Juan Mata then doubled his side’s lead from the penalty spot late on after Anthony Martial was fouled by Gareth McAuley, who was subsequently sent off.

But after the game Van Gaal said that the supporters should think about what they are chanting following the chorus of “attack, attack, attack,” believing they have been influenced by the comments from a former Reds legend.

He said: “I know the feeling of the fans. We have to attack better against this defensive organisation but it is the most difficult way you can play as a team.

“I am always pleased with the crowd and you have to accept fans have their own opinion but I think they were very influenced by Paul Scholes and all the criticism that the media has written about.

“But they also have to analyse the game. When you are yelling ‘attack, attack, attack’ and you attack for 85 minutes, you have to think as a fan, is it al lright to yell that?

“They want us to know we have to score. My mother knows that and my grandmother knows that. Goals are always the most important thing.”

The United manager was also quick to praise the performance of Lingard having predicted in his programme notes that the youngster was “close to scoring his first competitive goal.

“I said in the beginning of the season I wanted to keep him and he had to wait for the moment that he was in better shape than his companions for the same position and since then. I think he is playing very well,” said Van Gaal.

For West Brom, manager Tony Pulis was left ruing Berahino’s missed chance. He said: ”If you need a chance to drop to anyone — the gilt-edged chance — you’re hoping it drops to Saido.

“He’s missed a chance which could have got us something out of the game.”