Wednesday 4 November 2015 12:15, UK
Louis van Gaal insisted he was right to take off Anthony Martial against CSKA Moscow, despite boos from some of the Manchester United supporters.
The United boss had started Tuesday night's Champions League Group B clash with Martial as the main striker ahead of Wayne Rooney in a more withdrawn role.
But with the game goalless after 66 minutes, he replaced the French teenager with Marouane Fellaini and pushed Rooney up front - to the obvious frustration of the home supporters.
However, the decision was vindicated as the United and England captain headed home the winner in the 79th minute - and Van Gaal insists the Old Trafford faithful will be happy with the outcome.
Asked if he had heard the crowd's reaction, the Dutchman said: "Of course, I am not deaf.
"That is the opinion of the fans. Afterwards they shall not be disappointed by the decision of the manager.
"I'm very happy because I put him again in the striker's position and he scored."
The goal saw United move a point ahead of PSV Eindhoven at the top of the group ahead of a home clash with the Dutch side on November 25.
Rooney's strike also saw him move level with Denis Law on 237 United goals, but Van Gaal refused to single him out for praise.
"I back all my players, not only Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney is always centre of attention, I have to answer always about Wayne Rooney and now again," he added.
"Wayne is Wayne, he shall always contribute in a game. It was a fantastic goal. The tackle of Marcos Rojo was fantastic, the pass of Michael Carrick and the cutback of Jesse Lingard. Then the header of Rooney.
"It was fantastic. I'm very happy about the performance of my players, also about the result and also the fact we are top of the group."
Rooney's goal drew him level with Law but also means the England captain is now just 12 short of Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record.
"Law is a legend at this club so I am delighted to equal his record," Rooney said.
"We are top of the group now, so it's a big three points. We have another big one coming up against PSV, if we win that game we will qualify."
