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Manchester United Fans Turn Up The Heat On Louis Van Gaal With A Reminder Of What They Expect

The chorus of boos that greeted Anthony Martial’s substitution against CSKA Moscow was the loudest show of discontent aimed towards Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United during the Dutch coach’s 16 month tenure.

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The boos weren’t because his replacement was Maroune Fellaini, even though Van Gaal’s decision to replace the sprightly Frenchman with the gangly Belgian epitomised why most United fans haven’t fully warmed to their current manager just yet.

Instead, they were a timely reminder of what they expect to see at Old Trafford -risky, free flowing, attacking football that culminates in chance after chance, goal after goal, and, hopefully, trophy after trophy.

These haven’t been forthcoming over the recent run of games, and at Old Trafford on Tuesday night there was almost a unified feeling amongst the supporters that action was now needed to remind Louis Van Gaal of what they expect to see on a regular basis.

This had all actually begun at Selhurst Park on Saturday, when Manchester United fans started to insist upon attacking football with a variety of chants - a clear sign that the club’s absence of goals was beginning to irk.

For the first 30 minutes against CSKA the Old Trafford faithful remained positive, even though United were struggling to create any clear openings despite having oodles of possession. What made it even more frustrating was that their opponents had only come to defend, and weren’t having to overly exert themselves to do just that.

Minor annoyances became contentious frustrations. Sideways passes were seen as a slap in the face, missed chances were regarded as a boot in the groin, while short corners were rightfully interpreted as declarations of war.

The Old Trafford crowd palpably started to leap onto the same train of thought over the same grievances, and chants of “Attack, Attack, Attack Attack Attack” and, “We’re Man United, We Want To Attack,” started sprouting up across the stadium.

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But those of you interpreting this as added pressure would be wrong. It was instead a gentle reminder that Van Gaal’s patient, meandering, possession based approach simply wouldn’t do anymore.

In fact, there was almost a beauty to the vociferous outpouring of United fans. The prime example of which was Martial being replaced by Fellaini in the 66th minute.

The sight of the substitutions board with the numbers 9 and 27 on it was immediately met with a curdling of bemusement, which then began to evolve into a scattering of boos and chants of his name as Martial headed to the dug out. But as soon as Fellaini trod his big toe onto the field of play the supporters instantly threw their weight behind his magnificent mane, recognising that he was just collateral damage in their attempt to get Van Gaal’s attention.

To be fair to Van Gaal, Martial had been rather anonymous in the contest. But having already seen Wayne Rooney fail to find the net on three separate occasions as United’s lone striker over the last 10 days, United fans were rightfully worried that their barren spell would now continue.

It didn’t. United scored. Wayne Rooney scored. His celebration in amongst the sway of Stretford Enders summed up the overwhelming sense of relief that came hand in hand with it. In fact, just seconds later, United stole the ball back from Moscow and set out for a second like a ravenous zombie on the hunt for a sophomore kill.

The second goal didn’t come though. Instead, Rooney’s header provided Louis Van Gaal with a brief reprieve. Until Saturday. When goals and a genuine attacking threat will be expected. Manchester United’s fans have now made it clear that they will not settle for anything less. It’s now up to Louis Van Gaal to listen.

Images via Getty/Alex Livesey & Getty/Alex Livesey