MANCHESTER // Louis van Gaal told Manchester United fans to think for themselves, rather than echoing Paul Scholes’ criticisms of his team, as he bluntly declared that even his grandmother can tell when it is time to attack.
Former United midfielder Scholes, who won 11 league titles during a 718-game career, has branded Van Gaal’s side “boring” in one of a series of disparaging comments on his old club.
And supporters chanted “attack, attack, attack” before a 404-minute goal drought was ended in Tuesday’s 1-0 Uefa Champions League win over CSKA Moscow.
United beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 yesterday but have only scored three goals in their past five games.
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Yet Van Gaal felt Scholes was responsible for the dissent in the stands as he argued that his team have been adventurous.
He said: “They were very influenced by Paul Scholes. But you to have analyse the game. When you are yelling ‘attack, attack, attack’, and we attacked for 85 minutes, you have to think as a fan: ‘Is it all right to yell?’
“The players know they have to score. My mother knows that and my grandmother knows that.”
Jesse Lingard opened the deadlock against Albion with his first United goal and Van Gaal revealed he had rejected offers for the midfielder in the summer.
“He scored a fantastic goal,” he said. “I’m very happy for him because he deserves it. He played very well.”
Lingard is keeping Memphis Depay out of the team and Van Gaal added: “He is in better shape than his companions for the same position.”
Tony Pulis, West Brom manager, blamed Chris Brunt and Claudio Yacob for Lingard’s goal and rued the moment substitute Saido Berahino spurned an opportunity to equalise.
“If you need a gilt-edged chance to drop to anyone, you hope it will be Saido,” he said. “The first goal was a poor goal for us to concede.”
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