Van Gaal’s Man United side will be under scrutiny in the FA Cup tonight.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended Louis van Gaal after the Man United boss received criticism from former players and fans regarding the clubs style of play.
Following Man United’s last gasp equaliser against equaliser against West Ham last weekend, the style of the goal casued much debate with Sam Allardyce describing the Red Devils as a ‘long ball’ team.
The goal came from a punt up-field to Maroune Fellaini who knocked the ball down for Daley Blind to volley home and snatch a point for Man United.
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Wenger however, doesn’t see why Van Gaal must explain himself and is of the opinion that styles of play go out of the window when chasing an equaliser in the dying moments of the game.
“A big club has a responsibility to win and try to win with style – but first try to win,” Wenger was quoted as saying in ESPN.
“I didn’t understand really what the problem was. Man United went a bit longer in the last 10 minutes. I found it completely logical.
“If I am in a game in the last five minutes, we have a free-kick and we have three monsters up front, I do not say: ‘Play a short ball.’
“A team goes naturally from its strong points, and an intelligent team knows how to exploit its strong points.”
Wenger’s sympathy for his colleague is both understandable and admirable, but Man United have a visible problem with a clear style of play which was so clear to see under Sir Alex Ferguson.