Louis van Gaal has sung the praises of Manchester United’s travelling fans at our 3-1 victory over Derby. After supporters booed in large numbers during United’s last game at Old Trafford, when they lost 1-0 to Southampton, Van Gaal has urged the fans to get behind the team on Tuesday against Stoke.

Our fans supported us fantastically. I heard the fans of Manchester United more than the fans of Derby County. It is important that the fans continue to support the players against Stoke as the players have the most difficult task – they have to get a result at that hour, against Stoke’s resistance and there are no excuses. The fans have to support again.

I hope that we can give the same level of performance as against Derby. Stoke City are a team that every club has a lot of difficulties with. I saw them play against Liverpool and thought they were very good – they deserved to go through. I have to say that I like how Stoke play, very much.