I was right to replace Angel Di Maria with Adnan Januzaj following a poor first half, says Van Gaal

LOUIS VAN GAAL feels that he was right to replace Angel Di Maria with Adnan Januzaj during Manchester United's 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Manchester United chief Louis van Gaal has declared that it was a 'tactical decision' to substitute Angel Di Maria during the 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Former Real Madrid star Di Maria was hooked after 45 minutes, having endured a miserable opening period against Gus Poyet's Black Cats.

Twitter reaction: Social media reacts to Di Maria's substitution

Starting on the wing as United reverted to 4-4-2, Di Maria was replaced by fellow Belgian wideman Adnan Januzaj for the second half - in what looked a like-for-like switch.

But van Gaal refused to criticise the £59.7million Argentine, who himself recently admitted things haven't been going as he would like in Manchester.

“I want to win. I have to observe and analyse. We were better in the second half so I cannot say it was the wrong decision.

"We have to give Di Maria time to adapt and lift his confidence again.

"He’s a human being and makes mistakes like everyone else."

And the Dutchman was pleased with his side's second-half showing, as Wayne Rooney bagged a brace to earn the Red Devils three points.

"In the second half we played much better and with much more composure," added van Gaal.

"We scored two and could have had more.

"The wingers did their job today, that is why we created so many chances in the second half."