Van Gaal: We Are United

Louis van Gaal has hailed the togetherness of his Manchester United first-team squad as the Reds head into a busy festive period.

Club captain Wayne Rooney organised a Christmas evening out for the players and their partners and members of the coaching staff and the boss believes this week's event demonstrated the spirit and camaraderie within the club.

"It was fantastic," van Gaal told MUTV. "Usually, I don't use words like this, but I think it showed the cohesion in our group from both the players and staff. My wife and I enjoyed it very much.

"The squad is very important, and that's why the timing of our Christmas party was fantastic - it showed the togetherness in the squad. I think we are in a good position."

It's not just off the pitch that things are going well. On the pitch, the Reds have racked up four straight victories in the Barclays Premier League and are targeting a fifth triumph against Southampton on Monday ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford next weekend.

The gradually-building momentum has given fans hope that United are heading in the right direction; van Gaal, meanwhile, hopes he can maintain his reputation as a winner and deliver silverware for the supporters.

"I always want to win a title (a trophy)," he added on MUTV. "It’s something I've done in my first season at other clubs, so I want to give the fans a title (trophy). The easiest way to win silverware is in a competition like the FA Cup, which requires fewer matches to win."

Van Gaal's first-ever opponents in the FA Cup will be revealed on Monday evening when the third-round draw is made.