Van Gaal: Fletcher Deserves A Great Reception

Louis van Gaal believes Darren Fletcher deserves a warm ovation from Manchester United fans when the former Reds midfielder returns to Old Trafford with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Fletcher made 342 appearances and won 12 major honours during 13 seasons of respected service at United before joining the Baggies in January. He has since been made captain by his new manager Tony Pulis and will face his former club for the first time this weekend.

During his weekly interview with MUTV at the Aon Training Complex, van Gaal explained why Fletcher deserves a warm ovation from the United supporters. “He’ll get a great reaction from the fans. I hope so. I hope so because Marouane Fellaini was not received very well at Everton but I think the fans shall give Darren a lot of applause.”

Asked if it was hard to let Fletcher leave, the boss explained how it was a joint decision based on the midfielder’s playing-time prospects and career ambitions. “We spoke about his performances and how much he would play in the second half of the season.

“We made a decision that we were agreed on. It was not so hard because we spoke about it. I always communicate with my players. Sometimes it shall be hard from the outside but I have always spoken about the decision we have made together.”

West Brom have an admirable defensive record, given that only Chelsea and Southampton have kept more clean sheets than them this season. Van Gaal expects it will be difficult to break down the Baggies and says United must be on top form.

“We have of course analysed West Bromwich Albion,” the manager explained on Friday. “They play compact and defensive. They play the long ball. That is always difficult to defend as you cannot always put pressure on the ball. We have to disorganise their organisation, but their organisation is compact.

“When you have the ball for more than 60 per cent, for example also against Everton, then the chance is bigger that you can lose the ball and there is a lot of space behind us because they are defending and we are standing on the middle line. That is more difficult to defend than when you are defending in your own 60 metres.”

So what is the key to beating a defensive foe? “It is always the same - you need a high ball circulation and then they have to run for 90 minutes behind the ball. After 60 minutes or 70 minutes there are gaps that are forming and you have to take advantage.”