COMMENT: It's been a tough week for Louis Van Gaal and a tough season for Manchester United fans.
Last weekend's defeat to Southampton lead to a rebellion against the United manager, audible boos were heard at Old Trafford as the crowd began to lose patience with the manager and the style of football. One shot on target and no first half goal at home since September isn't pleasant viewing. Press speculation about the future of Van Gaal has increased and many wondered if we'd see the Dutchman in the dugout again.
For older fans, the football, results and disillusionment isn't something new. Many compare the current situation to that of Dave Sexton, the United manager in the late '70s. But surprisingly the current crisis can be linked to that of the 1989/90 season.
Three years into his United tenure and Alex Ferguson was coming under fire. Results were poor, defeats to lesser opposition hard to take and the team lacked flair. The Old Trafford crowd were beginning to show frustration. A banner appeared calling on the manager to go "Ta Ra Fergie, 3 years of excuses" it read.
Ferguson found himself in a similar position to Van Gaal. An FA cup tie in the East Midlands was considered to be the make or break result that would determine the manager's future. A Mark Robins winner is often credited as the turning point in Alex Ferguson's time at United. Fast forward 26 years and a trip to the East Midlands for an FA Cup tie was going to be the noose around Van Gaal's neck.
A Friday night fixture isn't the kindest to the travelling fans, moved to accommodate the TV audience, the consideration to those travelling doesn't come into account, but 5,500 loyal supporters fought the rush hour traffic to make the trip to Derby.
United's away support is a different breed to that of the Old Trafford crowd. More street wise and more supportive, they aren't ones to be booing or to be seen publicly calling for a manager's head. The travelling Red Army were vocal throughout, singing about the team, the history and dreaming of a trip to Wembley in May. The performance on the pitch was promising and despite a few scares in what could be a potential banana skin, the 3-1 victory was comfortable.
Wayne Rooney looks refreshed, a stunning strike crowning a workman like performance. Anthony Martial ran the Derby defence ragged. The youngsters Guillermo Varela and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson looked composed, both defensively and in support of the attack. The FA Cup can be cruel, but for Van Gaal it's saved his job and kept the pressure at bay for another week.
Ferguson went onto win the Cup in 1990 and never looked back, a catalyst for all his future success. Nobody is expecting Louis Van Gaal to stay for the next 26 years, but lifting the FA Cup in May would be sweet. Wembley dreams are now in the mind of the travelling Red Army.
Andrew is the co-founder of Stretford End Flags, an independent fans group set up to improve the atmosphere and colour within Old Trafford. SEF provide the famous Stretford End banners. Visit stretfordendflags.com for more information - and to get involved.
Follow Stretford End Flags on Twitter: @sef_Mufc
