Former Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson has highlighted reasons why the club’ fans need to be patient with the under-fire coach, Louis Van Gaal. In a recent interview with Sky sports, the former Scottish football manager said  they have to “ be realistic about some things – the number of injuries he has had: Phil Jones has played only seven games this season, Ashley Young, Valencia,  Shaw, these are big losses.

“It doesn’t matter which team you are, if you have players missing of that calibre it has to have an impact on the team.

“The other aspect which is always easy to forget there are also five new players in their first season at United, and two are young players in Martial and Memphis  and their promise is good.

“You have to have some patience being a Manchester United fan and they have shown that over the years; in Matt Busby’s time, in my time.

“For 150 years of history it is worth having a couple of years on the quiet side of success because they will always come back and come back strong. You have to give him credit, he’s given nine young players their debut. I think the future is good,”