Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: I am not a clown

LOUIS VAN GAAL says he will not be a regular in the technical area over the remainder of the season… because he is not a clown.

   NO CLOWN: Louis van Gaal says there will not be a repeat of his 'dive' in 

   the technical area

The Dutchman made a rare appearance on the touchline in Sunday's win over Arsenal and made headlines when he fell backwards in front of fourth official Mike Dean.

Van Gaal had been unhappy at Michael Oliver's decision to award Alexis Sanchez a free-kick with the United manager suggesting the Chilean had dived.

But the 64-year-old insists there will not be a repeat in the near future.

He said: “It is not a part of my philosophy, because I don’t think you can influence the game from that spot.

“I am not a clown. I am Louis van Gaal. I am a human being and a manager. My players have to think on the pitch. I help them more to train what I have said that they see the solutions on the pitch. That’s why I’m not doing that.

“I have done this also in the Champions League final. I was jumping like that also when there was a defender who was putting his foot at that height against Jari Litmanen.

“That was my way of saying it but it was too emotional. You have to deal with the fourth official and the authority of the referee. I have to control my emotion and that is why I have apologised. But I don’t feel sorry for it, because it’s me. I think I was right.”

United will be looking to make it four consecutive wins in all competitions when they host Watford at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

The Red Devils are three points off the top four, having played a game more than fourth-placed Manchester City, as they look to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Van Gaal's options have been boosted by the club's injury crisis easing slightly with Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian and possibly Chris Smalling available for selection again.

Should Martial be fit to start, Van Gaal will face a dilemma over whether to restore the Frenchman to his starting XI or persist with Marcus Rashford who scored four goals in his first two games for the senior side in Martial's absence.

And despite his stunning start, Van Gaal is confident Rashford will not let his success get to his head.

Van Gaal said: “Players are coming back. It is positive. I think Martial can play, Darmian can play and maybe Smalling. We’ll wait and see. Rojo got a kick. A lot of players receive kicks and they can play the next match.

“I think he’s a very modest guy so I don’t think that will be a problem. First, I think that people have to leave him in peace. I don’t think that [all the media scrutiny] is beneficial for a boy of 18. Give him time to be 18.

“We shall guide him in that way. When you have so much media attention, it can go another way, but I feel he can keep his feet on the ground.

“The older players shall guide Marcus and I hope people do not harass a boy of 18 years old. Too much attention is not easy to deal with. I can understand that people are praising him but still we have to manage him.”