It’s been a rarity this season but Louis van Gaal and Manchester United fans are actually in agreement on something.
The lack of entertainment value at Old Trafford has finally sunk in with the Dutchman who is now echoing the popular opinion around the stadium that United have not exactly been thrilling to watch this season.
The Red Devils condemned Aston Villa to relegation with a 1-0 victory on Saturday afternoon but it was a tighter affair than many expected, with the bottom-of-the-table side almost stealing a point at the death.
Van Gaal rang the changes ahead of kick-off, making five switches to the team that beat West Ham in the FA Cup midweek and the Dutchman believes that the changes ultimately affected the performance.
“Because of that intensive game I have changed five players in my line up. That had an influence,” van Gaal said.
“But I was surprised we could not lift ourselves. We played with too slow a tempo. I know it is not easy to play against a very defensive team. When you know that you have to play very quickly and we have trained in that way also.
“But to do it at the right moment that is difficult. We did it better in the first half than the second half. But nevertheless we have three points and that is the most important thing.”
With all the praise that van Gaal had for the deciding goal, he continued to press the point that he felt the need to offer more excitement to the supporters.
“The goal was superb,” he continued. “The switch of the play from Rooney. The run to the first post by Rashford and then he cuts it off because the space wasn’t there and Valencia has to see that and Valencia saw that and he gave the pass at the right time. It was a marvellous goal.
“But I agree that we have to give more entertainment for the fans. It was not the best match from Manchester United this season.”
