Manchester United fans frustration no concern to Louis van Gaal

Marouane Fellaini, No31, came off the bench to score Manchester United's opener against Queens Park Rangers. Sean Dempsey/EPA

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal played down the frustration expressed by his club’s supporters during their side’s 2-0 victory at Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League.

Van Gaal heard the first sounds of revolt from United’s fans towards the end of a dismal first half at Loftus Road on Saturday when they voiced their unhappiness with his favoured 3-5-2 formation by chanting: “4-4-2!”

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Van Gaal introduced Marouane Fellaini at half-time before adjusting his formation and the moves paid dividends, with Fellaini putting United ahead before fellow substitute James Wilson added a late second.

United finished the day level on points with third-place Southampton, who they trail on goal difference, and Van Gaal said: “When you win, everyone is happy and more comfortable.

“We changed the shape also. The players have to show it at the right time against the right opponent on the pitch and that is very difficult every week.

“That is something we have to decide every week: how we will play. With the other system against Tottenham (in a 0-0 draw), we created six or seven chances in the first half and didn’t score.

“It is always a question of whether you are effective enough. In football, it is not always the better team that wins.”

Despite the scoreline, United played their part in an error-strewn game, with Fellaini and Wilson riding to the rescue after Radamel Falcao had squandered a number of chances.

Dropped for last weekend’s 1-0 loss at home to Southampton, the on-loan Monaco striker has been challenged by Van Gaal to prove himself if he wants to earn a long-term contract.

An ankle injury to Robin van Persie opened the door for the Colombia international at Loftus Road and although he failed to find the net, Van Gaal defended his performance.

“He wants to score goals and for me, I have to judge how he has played,” said the Dutchman.

“Scoring goals is an important aspect of a striker, but for me it is very important that he is an attacking point. I think he did well.”

Redknapp backing

The defeat is likely to only sharpen the focus on QPR manager Harry Redknapp, whose future was the subject of scrutiny in the build-up to the game.

But he expressed confidence that his struggling side -- who are currently second from bottom in the table -- can stay up and declared that he does not fear for his job.

“We are difficult to play against here,” Redknapp said. “We work hard and get the maximum out of the players. We haven’t been overrun by Manchester United.

“My players work hard for me every week. Our away form has been poor and we need to put that right. But I can’t ask more from my players.

“If they want to make a change, that’s the club’s choice. I spoke to (QPR owner) Tony Fernandes five times recently and he never mentioned anything to me.

“I don’t get worried and what will be, will be. We have done ever so well this year and we are still amongst it. There’s nothing between the bottom seven teams and we have as good a chance as anybody.”

Roy Hodgson was among the spectators at Loftus Road and Redknapp believes the England manager would have been impressed by his 13-goal top scorer Charlie Austin.

Austin failed to score, but forced United goalkeeper David de Gea into two saves, and Redknapp said: “Charlie has done ever so well. He is improving and his attitude is first-class.

“He comes in every day and works hard and trains hard. He loves being a footballer and deserves to continue being successful.”

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