United fans have the right to boo

Chris Smalling has defended the Manchester United fans who booed the team off the pitch after yet another goalless draw on Saturday.

United spurned the chance of going top of the league as they could not breach West Ham’s defence and some of the fans made their frustration clear at the final whistle.

“Today was a massive frustration for us and it’s so disappointing when you dominate a game,” he said.

“In the second half, we created a number of opportunities but we didn’t have that luck to see the ball drop in.

“The fans have the right to show their frustration and we are just as frustrated.

“In the changing room, everyone is down because it is an opportunity missed. We are in a good position in the league, but it could have been boosted today.”

The England international, who has been one of United’s standout performers so far this season, remained confident that United will return to winning ways soon enough, particularly if they continue to create chances as they did in the second half.

“It’s not that we are not creating the chances,” he said.

“In the second half, we had quite a few opportunities in and around their six-yard box and we could have easily had a few goals.

“The opportunity was there to be capitalised on, to go top of the league, but it wasn’t meant to be. If we keep creating chances, we are confident sooner rather than later they will go in.

“On another day, we would have punished them, but when you dominate like we did, we should be taking the three points.