MANCHESTER -- Louis van Gaal insisted that he had proved to booing supporters that he was right to substitute Anthony Martial in Manchester United's 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow.
Jeers greeted the Dutchman's decision to replace the £36 million teenager with Marouane Fellaini before fans chorused the France international's name in defiance of the Dutchman.
But after Martial went off, Wayne Rooney, who was moved into the striker's role, scored United's first goal in 404 minutes to take them top of Group B.
And Van Gaal believes that illustrates the wisdom of his decision, saying in a news conference: "Of course I hear that. That is the opinion of the fans. After that, they shall not be disappointed with the decision of the manager."
Van Gaal argued that his side had made history by becoming the first United side to defeat Russian opposition at Old Trafford.
"In the golden years of Manchester United, they never won against a Russian team at home," he added. "Everyone thinks it is easy. It is not easy."
United had drawn their three previous games 0-0 and Van Gaal admitted they could have lost to the Russian league leaders, with Seydou Doumbia being denied by goalkeeper David De Gea and defender Chris Smalling -- who his manager accidentally called Michael -- a minute before Rooney scored.
"It is a relief because you have seen an attacking Manchester United creating a lot of chances against a very good, organised team," he said.
"And then it is always difficult to score goals and then we have to wait a long time. We controlled the match for 89 minutes but we didn't control one minute and we could have been defeated again. If Doumbia scores, it is before the goal we score and then I am sitting here very differently. But we deserve it totally I think
"That was the only attack of CSKA Moscow that a player of Manchester United stepped in on the wrong way and then David De Gea has saved us and after that Michael Smalling has saved us."
Van Gaal had previously called Smalling "Mike" during United's preseason tour as well.
Smalling recently spoke about the case of mistaken identity for the first time.
''The players don't call me Mike, but a lot of the fans do,'' Smalling said with a smile after United's 0-0 draw with Manchester City last month. ''Even if you go to Russia or wherever, it's 'Mike! Mike! Mike!' It's going to stick with me forever, that one."