Louis van Gaal says Manchester United fans left early during laboured FA Cup win over Sheffield United 'because of traffic'

Old Trafford was far from harmonious on Saturday

Louis van Gaal leaves the pitch after the win over Sheffield United (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal says that Manchester United fans may have left Saturday's FA Cup tie against Sheffield United early because of traffic concerns.

Thousands of home supporters had gone long before Wayne Rooney's 93rd-minute penalty secured a laboured 1-0 third-round victory over the League One side.

Van Gaal's United were booed off at half-time, and then there were noticebale amounts of empty chairs as the game wore on.

Asked why supporters had left early, Van Gaal said: "Maybe [because] we haven't scored. Maybe the traffic."

He added: "There are many reasons why someone might leave early.

"When I was looking at matches to analyse an opponent, I have done that also - I leave the stadium five minutes before. You never know what the reason is. You can be very negative. But we are in the next round."

United did not manage a shot on target until the 69th minute against their lower league opponents.

But Van Gaal said that supporters should be happy with the way their team have returned to form with victories over Swansea and Sheffield United after a run of eight matches without a win.

He said: "We have won two matches in a row out of a bad period. You have to be happy as a Manchester United fan that we have won two matches in a row and we are in the next round."