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Louis van
Gaal has been encouraged after taking four points from the last two games
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Louis van Gaal believes
the pressure is easing on Manchester United after they recorded their first win
in nine matches. Wayne
Rooney secured a welcome 2-1 victory over Swansea on Saturday with a clever
backheel in the 77th minute.
Press Association report continues:
The
United boss said his players had been left "angry" by their failure
to win their previous eight matches - the club's worst run in 26 years.
Now
Van Gaal hopes his squad will be able to play with more freedom after ending
their rotten run.
"I
shall think that now the pressure is lowering, the performance shall be better
every week," the United manager said.
"But
that it also dependent on whether or not we score goals. And when we score
goals and we create always chances."
Something
of a siege mentality developed at Old Trafford during their slump.
United's
players flatly denied they were not playing for their manager, who walked out
of a press conference in a huff 11 days ago following reports he was about to
be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
And
the playing staff were also angered by their own performances on the pitch, Van
Gaal revealed.
"They
are very angry that we have lost so many games in a row," he said.
"They
are not used to that, I'm not used to that, losing four matches in a row.
Never, and I have been in this profession for 25 years. So it's unusual and
they are angry also and want to change the situation."
It
would be wrong to suggest everything is rosy at Old Trafford, of course.
Despite a change in formation, United were woefully dull for most of the first
half against Swansea.
The
hosts did not register a shot on target until the 33rd minute and only two more
weak efforts followed before the break.
United
have now failed to score in the first half of their last nine home matches.
In
a worrying statement for Van Gaal's doubters, the Dutchman insisted his team
played better in the first half than the second, when they found the net twice.
And
despite scoring 12 goals in 10 home league matches, Van Gaal claimed his
players are going on the attack more at Old Trafford.
"Always
at home we are playing in a more attacking way, to please the fans also,
because that is also the culture of Manchester United," he said. "But
you cannot always do that."
The
game also helped ease the pressure on Rooney. The 30-year-old's deft flick past
Lukasz Fabianski meant he ended his two-and-a-half month goal drought and moved
him past Denis Law into second in the club's scoring charts.
"He
has played two fantastic games in a row," said Van Gaal of Rooney, who was
dropped for the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke.
"He
does everything we expect from him as a captain but also as a player and in
what position he plays.
"I
hope that it can give a boost to him, because the goal was fantastic.
"I
am very happy for him and I hope it shall give him the boost he needs to
continue."
Saturday's
game was the first time Anthony Martial had been on the same scoresheet as
Rooney in the league.
The
Frenchman headed home Ashley Young's cross to put United ahead before Gylfi
Sigurdsson equalized with a looping header.
The
£36million forward then set up Rooney for the winner and Van Gaal wants the two
to start scoring more often.
"I
hope (that is the case)," Van Gaal said.
"Now
Martial is playing on the left side again, and we have tried that before also,
and Wayne in the striker's position, but today we played also in another shape,
so there are so many other aspects.
"I have to say all the
players do their utmost best and you can see that, but still there is still
space for improvement."
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