https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SBt55F-T2o
After Manchester United's draw with West Ham on Sunday, Sam Allardyce criticised Louis van Gaal's side for their used of long ball tactics.
He was not the first to highlight their use of the long ball, stats have shown that their are one of the teams which utilise the long ball most in European football.
This appears to have vexed the Dutchman. In a press conference ahead of the Old Trafford side's game against Burnley tomorrow, he produced stat sheets for journalists to disprove Allardyce's labelling of his team as a long ball side.
Unusual press conf from Van Gaal. He came armed with a four-page pamphlet of stats to combat Sam Allardyce's 'long-ball United' comments
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) February 10, 2015
Van Gaal very indignant. Ended up telling us to take it off him. "Copy it and present it to Big Sam." Here is one: pic.twitter.com/kHsc4gjU9s
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) February 10, 2015
To summarise, Van Gaal said Utd's figures were skewed by long sideways passes. West Ham, he said, were the team knocking it long to strikers
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) February 10, 2015
Louis van Gaal produces stats sheet to refute Sam Allardyce's long-Ball charge. pic.twitter.com/KARdLCwMYw
— David Anderson (@MirrorAnderson) February 10, 2015
Quite why you want to publicise your 33% passing rate to the world is beyond me. I'd be keeping it quiet. pic.twitter.com/7VMVI7nNYS
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) February 10, 2015