‘Fans may have left to beat traffic’

Manchester United fans may have left Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Sheffield United early because of traffic concerns, boss Louis van Gaal says.

Thousands of home supporters had gone before Wayne Rooney’s 93rd-minute penalty secured a 1-0 third-round win.

United were booed off at half-time, but Van Gaal suggested the early exit of fans was not necessarily a criticism.

Asked why supporters had left early, Van Gaal said: “Maybe [because] we haven’t scored. Maybe the traffic.”

He added: “There are many reasons why someone might leave early.

“When I was looking at matches to analyse an opponent, I have done that also. I leave the stadium five minutes before. You never know what the reason is. You can be very negative. But we are in the next round.”

The draw for the fourth round takes place on Monday at 1915 GMT, during The One Show on BBC One.

‘Be happy’

United did not manage a shot on target until the 69th minute against their League One opponents.

But Van Gaal said that supporters should be happy with the way their team have returned to form with victories over Swansea and Sheffield United after a run of eight matches without a win.

He said: “We have won two matches in a row out of a bad period. You have to be happy as a Manchester United fan that we have won two matches in a row and we are in the next round.”

Van Gaal refused to respond to more criticism from former United midfielder Paul Scholes, who claimed the players looked “bored”.

The Dutchman snapped: “What do I have to do now? React to Paul Scholes? Do you want that?”

Van Gaal repeated his claim that it was always going to be hard playing against Sheffield United, who are ninth in League One.

“I think that you always need to take into account how your opponent plays,” he said. “They defended with 10 behind the ball. It is not easy.”

BBC Sport