Van Gaal: I don't understand 'attack' chants
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Louis van Gaal insists he still has the support of Manchester United's frustrated fans despite claiming he can't understand their plea for more attacking football during a dour 0-0 draw against West Ham United.
United's failure to score for the fifth time at Old Trafford this season means four of their last six home games have finished in goalless draws. Van Gaal's team, without injured top scorer Wayne Rooney, were guilty of poor finishing against a West Ham side who arguably had the better chances to have won for the first time in five English Premier League matches.
Not for the first time this season, disgruntled United supporters chanted "attack, attack, attack" during the game and booed van Gaal's side off at the end as they remained unbeaten at home this season but slipped to fourth in the Premier League. Yet, asked about the mounting criticism of his conservative tactics, United boss van Gaal said: "I don't understand that they are shouting 'attack, attack' because we are the attacking team and not West Ham.
"That is not only today but in every game it's like that because we are always more dominating than our opponents. When they don't like the style of play for Manchester United everybody knows it didn't fit. All the teams of mine are playing like that. When I have been in Barcelona or Bayern Munchen or AZ (Alkmaar), we have played like that.
"But I think when I meet the fans on the streets or wherever, they are very happy with Manchester united and with me, but you have to score. And when you don't score, then it lets points go. Because of that now we are three points behind Leicester City because we don't score one goal today and that is the difference."
Forwards in mind
Van Gaal admitted that he may need to add another striker to his squad, but he claimed that even a player of the quality of Manchester City's Sergio Aguero or Barcelona's Luis Suarez would not be guaranteed to score. The United manager, whose side will have to score to get the win they need at Wolfsburg on Tuesday to progress in the UEFA Champions League, added: "There is always a question mark but I'm pleased with the performance.
"When you create these kind of chances you have to finish. But you can't say we played badly. The most important aspect of football we didn't do. My opinion about scoring goals is not only about composure but also a lot of luck. I am not so worried but we have to pass over this period because it is too long that we don't score."
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic claimed United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger should have been sent off for what he said was an elbow to defender Winston Reid in an off-the-ball incident just before half time. "It is a moment of madness, he deserved to be sent off. But the referee told me he didn't see it, which is fair enough. I believe it," Bilic said.
West Ham twice hit the post and had one-on-one chances for both Victor Moses and Mauro Zayate as they threatened to add a victory at Old Trafford to the away wins they have enjoyed at Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City this season.
"They had chances of course but we deserved a point. I have nothing but praise for my players. They did magnificently," Bilic said. "It is not very common for West Ham to come here and take something at Manchester United. It is a good day, especially with a clean sheet."