Manchester United may have won its last two games to end an eight-match winless streak, but it hasn’t stopped the criticism from going manager louis van Gaal’s way ahead of their trip to Newcastle on Tuesday.
After the tepid 1-0 victory over third-tier club Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Saturday, former United great Paul Scholes said: “Every time I come to Old Trafford, it’s negative football. Fans are bored, even the players are bored, everyone’s bored. You look at the bench and Van Gaal looks bored as well.”
Thousands of fans left Old Trafford before the end of the third-round match, with United won courtesy of an injury-time penalty by Wayne Rooney.
Asked why, Van Gaal said on Monday: “They are not thinking that we would score, I think, and maybe also because of the traffic that they leave the stadium a few minutes early.”
On Tuesday, Manchester United visits Newcastle, which is third from last and has lost its last four games.
Van Gaal, who side looks to close in on the Premier league’s top four with a win at struggling Newcastle United at St James’ Park, again said he wants to play a more attacking game — when the opposition allows.
The Dutchman said: “You’re always take how your opponent is playing into account. Ours was defending with players behind the ball, it’s not easy.
“It’s not an easy time now. It’s a process and there are ups and downs. Now we have won two games in a row it might give us a boost.
“Newcastle are playing very well. When I saw the match against Arsenal they played very well but they didn’t win — that’s the most important thing. We have to beat them.”
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will miss the trip to St James’ Park with a knee injury.