Van Gaal: CSKA Game Could Be Turning Point

Louis van Gaal insists there is no lack of confidence among his attacking players and he expects them to prove this in Tuesday's Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow.

Manchester United drew a third successive match 0-0 when firing a blank at Crystal Palace on Saturday and the attention now switches to a key midweek fixture. The Reds need to defeat the Russians - who have won two domestic games in the last four days, 2-0 and 2-1 - to keep on course for a place in the knockout stages of Europe's premier competition.

When asked if there was a mental issue preventing his stars from finding the net, van Gaal replied: "I cannot see that. When I see their characters, I don’t think they have doubts about that quality. It can change in one match - let that be CSKA, because we need victory."

The fans will get behind the team at Old Trafford and the boss was not concerned to hear chants urging the side to attack during the second half on Saturday.

"I think the right of the fans is always there [to voice their opinion]," he said.

"The first time that we were not the better away team was against Arsenal so I think they have seen it very good. They can sing that [attacking chant], but in the next game maybe they shall sing in another way."

United's last goal came in the previous meeting with CSKA Moscow on 21 October, when Anthony Martial equalised with a diving header in the 65th minute. "I have to hope we score against Moscow again because then we are talking in a different way," van Gaal added.