Scholes baffled by Van Gaal’s United team

Louis van Gaal: Rested Marcus Rashford

Louis van Gaal’s decision to rest key players in the 1-0 win at Norwich is baffling, according to Paul Scholes.

The United chief admitted that defender Daley Blind and striker Marcus Rashford were rested for the Carrow Road clash due to the high number of games they have played lately.

“We have to win all four games. Rashford has played a lot of matches and like Blind we have rested him,” Van Gaal told BT Sport ahead of the game.

But Van Gaal’s team had to be reshuffled when Anthony Martial pulled up with a tight hamstring in the warm-up meaning the French striker had to withdraw from the starting line-up.

Ander Herrera was rushed into the side, with Rooney, who was set to play in midfield, moved up front as Juan Mata’s 72nd-minute strike earned Van Gaal a 1-0 win.

But former United midfielder Scholes said he could not understand Van Gaal’s thinking.

Scholes told BT Sport: “I can’t understand at this stage of the season why LVG has decided to rest players.”

It’s not the first time Martial has picked up an injury in the pre-match warm-up with the 20-year-old having to be removed from the team against Midtjylland, when he was replaced by Rashford.