Rooney pacifies the critics

LOUIS van Gaal stood by his controversial decision to substitute Anthony Martial for Marouane Fellaini in Manchester United’s narrow victory over CSKA Moscow.

United moved to the top of their Champions League group after beating the Muscovites 1–0 with a Wayne Rooney goal - his 237th for the club.

United will now qualify for the knockout stages of the competition if they beat PSV at home in three weeks.

Despite the victory, and the end to a 404–minute goal drought, some United supporters were far from happy at times. Loud boos rang round Old Trafford when Van Gaal replaced Martial with Fellaini in the 66th minute.

Had it not been for Rooney’s 79th–minute header, more boos would have followed after the final whistle. But Van Gaal was in no mood to back down.

Asked if he had heard the crowd’s reaction, he said: “Of course, I’m not deaf. That’s the opinion of the fans. Afterwards they shall not be disappointed by the decision of the manager.”

Rooney’s goal moved him level with the club’s second–highest scorer of all time, Denis Law.

“Law is a legend at this club so I am delighted to equal his record,” said Rooney, now 12 short of Sir Bobby Charlton’s all–time record.

Rooney’s old team–mate Paul Scholes renewed his attack on Van Gaal before kick–off. Scholes, a BT pundit for the match, said United’s style of play was boring and claimed Rooney’s two league goals this season were down to a lack of service.