Manchester United manager reveals reason behind his touchline fall

Louis van Gaal revealed he apologised to referee Craig Pawson after his theatrical protests on the touchline during Manchester United’s win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The 64-year-old threw himself to the floor in front of fourth official Mike Dean to demonstrate what he thought was a dive from Alexis Sanchez.

It was greeted with cheers from United fans, who have very rarely seen the Dutchman leave his seat on the bench in his 18 months as manager.

But Van Gaal explained he had been guilty of letting his emotions get the better of him during the 3-2 victory and felt the need to apologise to the officials after the final whistle.

He said: “That was too emotional because at that time you are little bit too emotional because it is not good for the referee, the linesman, the fourth referee.

“I was emotional. It happens not too much. Normally I am sitting on my bench and I have a lot of criticism because I am sitting on my bench. I have apologised to the referee and the linesman. I have to control my emotions.”

When it was put to him that the fans enjoyed his show of emotion, Van Gaal countered that the fans aren’t always right, adding: “The fans are not always wise.”

The United manager was more willing to talk about the performance of 18 year old striker MarcusRashford, who scored twice on his Premier League debut to add to the two he got in the 5-1 win over FC Midtjylland on his full debut on Thursday.

He said: “I could imagine the first game he did that because he is a striker coming in to score goals and the first match is always good.

“The second match he has to do what the manager is willing him to do, and he did it fantastically. His performance was better than the first match.

“He has only played two matches and the first are always more, normally the first matches that a debutant plays are good. It is the consistency.

“He has to show in the third and the fourth and the fifth but what he has showed in the second match is already an improvement of the first and that is special.”

Van Gaal criticised the fight his team had shown during the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in United’s last league game and he insisted its return was one of the key factors behind the victory over Arsene Wenger’s title challengers.

He added: “We have played more of these games I think but against Arsenal is another level and the way we changed our shape in the second half and performed like that.

“We don’t give any chances away. Arsenal is one of the best teams in the Premier League and very creative with very creative players.

“You cannot see too many chances for them and when they score it was errors of ourselves but most of all the fighting spirit of the team to bring this result to the end and you could see was seen also by the fans and it was great to be in Old Trafford again for all the fans and also all the players.”