Gill Calls For Manchester United Calm Despite 'Underachievement'

Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill has pleaded for calm at Old Trafford after another damaging defeat for Louis van Gaal's side.

Saturday's 1-0 loss to Southampton, courtesy of Charlie Austin's late header on debut, left United five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham and 10 behind Premier League leaders Leicester and saw them booed off at full-time.

Van Gaal said after the game he did not blame the fans for voicing their discontent, but Gill, who remains a non-executive director of United, insists there must be no panic at the club.

Clearly we all hoped the results would have been better and everyone is disappointed with that," he said. "It's been a season of underachievement.

"But I know that everyone, from the owners and Louis van Gaal and his team, is working extremely hard to turn that around. It's not easy but we have to stick together.

"What you've got to do is stick to what you know is right to turn it around and don't get too distracted."

Van Gaal admitted the crowd's reaction to the defeat was the worst he has so far experienced in the job.

Gill added on Sportsweek: "No one likes to see that. We're fans as well as directors and we don't want booing, we want cheering. But I think we've got to stay calm."

Credit: Skysports.com