Old Trafford boss accepts sending off.
Louis van Gaal accepts Wayne Rooney had to be handed a red card for his kick on West Ham winger Stewart Downing according to Sky Sports.
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The Man United captain was ordered off in the second half of his side’s narrow win over West Ham, the England man clearly committing a professional foul on Downing, with the kick deemed by referee Lee Mason as worthy of a straight red card.
“I think we have played very good in the first half, very attacking, attractive football.
“We conceded a goal from a corner, which is a pity because we were playing very good. I said at half-time I was pleased.
“Then you get our set-play, the break from West Ham and the right card for Wayne and that changed everything.
“I think that the referee could give a red card. I think he (Rooney) did it too unfriendly, because you can do it in a more friendly way. I call that a professional fault.”
The decision will leave Rooney out for three games, which in turn will give Spaniard playmaker Juan Mata a route back into the side, having been perhaps harshly dropped following his goal-scoring display against QPR two weeks ago.