Manchester United's Wayne Rooney reacts as he walks off the pitch after being sent off by match referee Lee Mason (not pictured) during their English Premier League soccer match against West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern EngalndS
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney reacts as he walks off the pitch after being sent off by match referee Lee Mason (not pictured) during their English Premier League soccer match against West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern EngalndSeptember 27, 2014. REUTERS/Darren Staples

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal came to Wayne Rooney's aid, after the latter incurred a red card for carelessly sticking his boot out at Stewart Downing to prevent a supposed counterattack by West Ham.

When prompted with a question as to whether or not he made the right choice in appointing the former Everton standout as captain, the Dutchman seemed to have lost his cool.

"For me, that is neither a good analysis by you and neither a good question," said Van Gaal.

"It is my right not to answer."

In an attempt to silence critics, the former FC Barcelona boss tried to justify his skipper's decision by describing it as a mere "professional foul" that went wrong.

"Maybe you don't want to hear it but maybe you do know that in professional football you make professional fouls and I have seen it today five or six times."

"Wayne has done it also so, professionally, as a trainer-coach I can see that but he did it too confrontationally. "

"That's maybe his biggest mistake. But I've also seen these professional fouls without a yellow or red card so that's a little bit strange."

The Red Devils skipper will be suspended for the next three fixtures against Chelsea, Everton, and West Bromwich Albion.

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