Manchester United: Louis van Gaal addresses fans' requests to launch more attacks

Louis van Gaal has hit back at fans who implore him to pour more options into attack, stating that his team is always on the lookout to create new opportunities with the ball. The Red Devils had only two shots on target against Leicester City despite having the majority of the possession but Van Gaal states that for this to change they have to revert to a long ball tactic for which they do not have the requisite personnel to execute to perfection.

The Dutchman insists that Marouane Fellaini is the only player who can be used in this system but his lack of experience as a striker stunts his ability to create opportunities in the final third. The Red Devils will be without Wayne Rooney for the games against West Ham and Wolfsburg after the England international picked up an ankle injury in the closing minutes against Leicester.

The former Barcelona manager is likely to deploy Anthony Martial through the middle where he will have the chance to run at defenders and create spaces in the final third. Memphis Depay is expected to slot into the wings, while Ashley Young will keep his position at left-back following an injury to Marcos Rojo.

Van Gaal was however extremely appreciative of the fans' support and insists that there is little they can do in terms of attacking more as a unit when they have the ball for a better part of 70% of the game.

"Last season I said a lot of things about the fans and their support for us despite the results. But now the results are reasonable or may be very good and now there is sometimes they shout 'attack, attack, attack' but we are attacking 70 percent [of the time] because we have the ball," Van Gaal said, as quoted by ESPN.

"Maybe they want more long balls, more activity in the 18-yard box, yes that is possible. But I think we don't have the players to play with long balls. Then we have to play with [Marouane] Fellaini in a striker's position and he is not a typical striker. Then we have to buy other strikers and that is not our opinion," he added.