Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has paid tribute to the club's supporters during an impassioned speech at the club's end-of-season awards.
The Dutchman thanked Red Devils fans for standing by the team during their lacklustre start to the season, in which they took just 13 points from 10 matches.
"I came in the stadium of Old Trafford, 10 matches 13 points, and I came in, and I saw by myself how I have to behave myself," he told attendees at the ceremony.
"And then the public are applauding, standing up, and I thought how is it possible? How is it possible that the fans are supporting me? Thanks to that we could continue, and not only me of course, my staff, but especially the players.
"It is not so easy when you are playing in a great club as Manchester United, that you have 10 matches, 13 points, and you have a new manager who demands in another way than all the other managers. It's very difficult."
Van Gaal's animated address has caused a storm on social media, with clips of the fired-up Dutchman circulating on services such as Twitter and Instagram.
Mark Langshaw
