'Louis van Gaal will succeed at United' says Bastian Schweinsteiger

Bastian Schweinsteiger (r) with Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, shortly after signing for the club last summer

Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger has urged the club's disgruntled fans to have faith in manager Louis van Gaal.

Although United are just two points off the pace at the top of the Premier League table, many supporters are unhappy with the team's more pragmatic style of play.

Despite having the tightest defence in the league - just eight conceded - the Reds have netted nine fewer goals than leaders Manchester City over the opening 12 games of the season.

United have scored just nine goals in six home league matches this campaign, which has led to the Dutchman being the target of the club's boo-boys.

Although the Dutchman has acknowledged the supporters right to make their feelings known midfielder Schweinsteiger believes the manager's methods will reap their rewards later in the season.

The German, who left Bayern Munich last summer to move to Old Trafford, said: "It is not about October or November, it is about May.

"I recognise similarities between Louis van Gaal here and at Bayern Munich.

"In Munich, if you remember, it took a while before the team understood exactly how he wants to play football but in the end we won the Bundesliga title and made it to the Champions League final.

"I remember the fans were unsure about him early on at Bayern but in the end we did the double and so the fans in Munich loved him.

"I am sure Louis will bring success to United. I am convinced about that but we have to do our work and we have to improve. I am convinced it will happen.

"You have to be patient but, of course, during that you have to win, you have to get results and you have to score.

"You recognise what the supporters are saying but football is not only attack.

"There are teams with different game styles and they also win titles but I think especially in home matches we have to press and go forward.

"When you are playing a team who defend with 10 men it is not easy to find the gaps.

"It happens but you have to find solutions and this is where we can still improve, improve on breaking a team down."

However, one of United's former strikers has criticised the type of football being played under van Gaal.

Dwight Yorke, a member of the club's treble-winning team in 1999, said: "The legacy that Sir Alex (Ferguson) has left behind after 26 years has meant we're used to seeing a certain type of football.

"I can see why people are voicing their opinion because it's not how United go about their business and it's been very hard at times for people to bear.

"You've got to take certain risks. It's all well and good having a game plan, where you grind teams down and have the ball so much but the game is about excitement and taking chances.

"We're in the entertainment business. United, in the past, have been all about being exciting."