Manchester United vs. West Brom: Key Takeaways from Louis van Gaal's Presser

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has asked fans to aim their frustration at him and not his team after the Old Trafford faithful were vocal in their criticism of the Red Devils during Tuesday's UEFA Champions League match with CSKA Moscow.

United face West Bromwich Albion at home in the Premier League on Saturday, and the coach admitted fans have a right to air their grievances. But he added they should direct those at him, as quoted by Alex Richards of the Mirror:

"

I think the fans have to support the players, otherwise they make it very difficult for the players to play at Old Trafford.

Until now they were fantastic, so I cannot complaint about the fans. I can only advise the fans to criticise the manager and not the players.

It’s very difficult to play for Manchester United with a lot of pressure and when you can taste that in Old Trafford because of all the yelling, then it’s not good for all my players.

It’s better to whistle at the manager. I can cope with it because I have had a lot of experience in it as my life as a manager.

"

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

The Dutchman defended his style of play against CSKA in midweek and said his team found it difficult to break down the Russians because of their overt defensive pattern, but he believed his team entertained, per Richards:

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I think we have attacked for 85 minutes of the 90 minutes, so we have given a lot of entertainment and it’s dependable of the goals.

When the goals are falling much faster, then everybody is happy and when you analyse the games, you know it’s difficult to break down a team that has 10 people playing behind the ball.

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Jon Super/Associated Press

Van Gaal continued to lean on the Champions League result and performance in Friday's press conference, insisting his side created history with the 1-0 win over CSKA, saying he had done his homework, per Richards:

"

When you have two teams attacking, it’s easier to score goals. That’s why other coaches play these tactics against us, because then we have more difficulties and they are relying always on the counter-attack and they put in the players who are fast.

But, nevertheless, CSKA tried these tactics. They only created one chance, so I was very happy with our defensive organisation and the way we attacked, because at the end we have won against a very difficult team.

I didn’t know, but I read up on the history of CSKA Moscow. They played Manchester City last year, at home, and they won 2-0.

Even in the golden age of Manchester United, they could not win against them. It was 1-3 [at Old Trafford], then with a lucky end it was 3-3. So we have made history.

"

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Van Gaal informed MUTV (h/t the club's official website) United will be missing Antonio Valencia, who has a foot injury. He also revealed France international Morgan Schneiderlin is doubtful after a bout of sickness. They will also be without the suspended Matteo Darmian.

The coach also referenced Wayne Rooney in his presser, saying he has had to change the use of his captain depending on the opponent but has focused him as a second striker who can also feature as a No. 9, per Sky Sports (h/t audioBoom):

United got back to winning ways on Tuesday with their solitary-goal victory against CSKA, preventing a fourth goalless match in a row for the Red Devils, per WhoScored.com.

Van Gaal's men now host a West Brom side that has been mean in defence this season, conceding only 14 goals in 11 Premier League games this term, according to Squawka.

The Baggies lie 12th in the table, above Chelsea, and they are likely to sit and defend when they walk out onto the Old Trafford pitch on Saturday, much like Moscow did. 

LvG also addressed the former United players who could feature for West Brom, as Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans and Anders Lindegaard return to the Theatre of Dreams, per the club's official Twitter account:

United have lacked inspiration in recent weeks, and they need Rooney to find his best form as soon as possible if they truly want to be title contenders.

Anthony Martial played through the middle against CSKA, as LvG paired the teenager with his captain in a more fluid attack. 

However, West Brom under manager Tony Pulis are purveyors of defensive football, as their six clean sheets in the league prove, and United will have to be more direct as they face a wall of motivated individuals weaved into a well-drilled unit.