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I am Not Deaf: Louis van Gaal On Fan Jeers

Manager Louis van Gaal, accepted Manchester United fans' resentment over his tactic, but maintained they would not be disappointed afte...

Manager Louis van Gaal, accepted Manchester United fans' resentment over his tactic, but maintained they would not be disappointed after the Champions League win over CSKA Moscow.

Van Gaal's decision to replace Anthony Martial with Marouane Fellaini with the score at 0-0 drew jeers.Wayne Rooney later scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute.
I am Not Deaf: Louis van Gaal On Fan Jeers
"I'm not deaf. That's the opinion of the fans but afterwards they shall not be disappointed," said Van Gaal.

"I'm very happy because I put Rooney again in the striker's position and he scored."

Rooney's winner was United's first goal in 404 minutes of football - a run including goalless draws against Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace.


United legend Paul Scholes has blamed the team's lack of creativityon Van Gaal's tactics, while the Dutchman's tendency to deploy striker Martial - who has scored one goal in his past nine games - on the left and persist with Rooney as his main striker has drawn criticism.
Martial scored United's last goal before Rooney's winner - on 21 October in their last meeting with CSKA
Martial scored United's last goal before Rooney's winner - on 21 October in their last meeting with CSKA
Martial played up front alongside Rooney against CSKA but his substitution in the 66th minute drew an angry response from the crowd, who chanted the French teenager's name and demanded more attacking intent from their side.


Daniel Taylor of the Guardian newspaper was shocked by the volume of booing
Daniel Taylor of the Guardian newspaper was shocked by the volume of booing

The keyboard boos

It was not just inside Old Trafford where frustration over Martial's substitution was felt, as social media activity peaked too.

In 15 minutes from 21:05 GMT the term 'Martial' was tweeted more than 13,000 times, with 2,600 tweets sent in the minute he was taken off.

Tweets were seen as far afield as Lima, Peru, while in Nairobi, United fan Iain Felipe wrote: "I have never questioned LVG's decisions up until now."

A particular meme often shared in the David Moyes era, was also again sent around social media, with Van Gaal's face replacing the Scot's.
A version of this meme was popular during David Moyes's 10-month tenure at Old Trafford
A version of this meme was popular during David Moyes's 10-month tenure at Old Trafford

Was Van Gaal right to substitute Martial?

BBC Radio 5 live pundit Pat Nevin described the decision as "a shocker". "He was the last player I expected to be taken off," added the former Chelsea player.

In his 66 minutes, Martial touched the ball 30 times and played 14 passes, completing 57%. At the same stage in the game, Rooney had touched the ball 34 times, making 82% of his passes.

"Wayne is Wayne, he shall always contribute in a game," said Van Gaal.
Rooney's 237th United goal moved him joint-second in the club's all-time goalscorers' list, alongside Denis Law.

"Wayne Rooney was there to get that chance that was unmissable," said Nevin. "So once again, Wayne Rooney - without playing brilliantly - wins the game for United."

Oliver Kay, of the Times, described the booing as the loudest of the Van Gaal era
Oliver Kay, of the Times, described the booing as the loudest of the Van Gaal era
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