Louis van Gaal thinks Manchester United fans should be happy their team are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and suggested that traffic around Old Trafford — rather than apathy — was one of the reasons why many supporters left before the end of the dull 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

Thousands of fans streamed out of the stadium on Saturday evening before the end of the third round tie, which the hosts won thanks to a penalty three minutes into stoppage time from Wayne Rooney.

United did not register a shot on target against the League One side until the 69th minute and were booed off at half-time.

But Van Gaal insists supporters should be happy with the way their team have returned to winning ways in recent weeks following a run of eight matches without victory.

The United manager said: “You have to be happy as a Manchester United fan that we are in next round and we have won the last two games.”

When asked why many had left the stadium early, Van Gaal said: “They are not thinking that we would score, I think, and maybe also because of the traffic that they leave the stadium a few minutes early.

“There are many reasons.”

Van Gaal added: “I think the fans have supported our team. It is not an easy time now, so I think the fans were there also.

“How many stadiums were like our stadium, full, I think?

“You can mention how they leave, but you can also mention how they come to the stadium to watch this FA Cup match.”

Paul Scholes tore into Van Gaal after the final whistle, claiming the players looked and the manager looked "bored".

Van Gaal refused to respond to the outspoken former United midfielder at his press conference on Monday.

The Dutchman snapped: “What do I have to do now? React to Paul Scholes? Do you want that?”

Van Gaal repeated his claim that it was always going to be hard playing against Sheffield United despite the fact that they are ninth in League One having lost to the likes of Crewe, Bury and Colchester this season.

“I think that you always need to take into account how your opponent plays,” he said.

“They defended with 10 behind the ball. It is not easy.”

The 64-year-old used a well-worn phrase to illustrate his claim that United are steadily heading in the right direction under his leadership.

“It is a process,” he added. “I have said many times.

“We are in that process. We have ups and downs. We have won two times in a row.”

Van Gaal's hopes of registering a third win in succession have been hit by an injury to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who will miss Tuesday's game at Newcastle because of a knee injury he suffered in the dying stages of Saturday's game.

The United boss told MUTV: “Bastian is injured, that we know. We have seen that because he could not move (at the end of the game against the Blades).”

Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are unavailable because of long-term injuries while Phil Jones is likely to miss out because of an ankle problem he sustained in the 2-1 win over Swansea on January 2.

Ashley Young, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick were rested for Saturday's game because they had played too many matches and were "in the red zone", according to Van Gaal, but they could return for the trip to Newcastle.

“We have to see if (the other) players are still overloaded or not,” Van Gaal said.