Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has urged fans not to barrack PSV Eindhoven defender Hector Moreno this week.

Moreno escaped punishment for the challenge that left Luke Shaw with a horrific double leg break when Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by the Dutch side in a September Champions League game.

Van Gaal said: “It was a reckless tackle, but I don't think Hector Moreno did it on purpose.

“The purpose of the challenge was the ball and not the leg, but we have all seen the tackle and he didn't just get the ball.

“That happens in football and it was very unfortunate for Luke Shaw.

“But the referee made a mistake. It had to be a penalty and a red card.

“These are the rules, so nobody can say to me it wasn't a penalty or a lousy tackle. It was a lousy tackle. But the purpose of it was for the ball."

Van Gaal added: “I cannot say what will happen, but until this moment the fans of Manchester United have always shown a special character.

“They always support the team, so I don't know about Moreno.

“Luke has shown a fantastic and very positive attitude to Moreno and he is right to do that.

“But everything went against us that night. There was no penalty, no red card and so it affected the game a lot. Moreno then scored the equaliser."