Key Returns Excite Louis van Gaal

Louis van Gaal is confident Manchester United will discover more rhythm and consistency in the second half of the season, particularly when players such as Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo are available for selection.

The Reds have been plagued by injuries this term but have still managed to impress in the Barclays Premier League, moving up to third place while enjoying an 10-match unbeaten league run that could be extended when Southampton visit Old Trafford this weekend.

When speaking to reporters on Friday, van Gaal was asked if his rejuvenated squad will produce more consistent performances in the coming weeks.

“I hope so because now the players are coming back and I will have a full selection of players within three weeks, I think,” the boss explained at the Aon Training Complex.

“Normally, we should then play better because a lot of players who were also fixed in my line-up - Daley Blind and Di Maria, for example - are now coming back.

“Marcos Rojo, for example, was also fixed in my line-up. I didn’t have the chance to build up with the same players. I hope that I can do that now, but you never know.”

Van Gaal was also quizzed on the prospect of catching joint-leaders Chelsea and Manchester City and spoke optimistically about United’s chances, but also remained typically realistic on the subject.

“No one club in the Premier League shall win every game, but maybe Manchester United can,” he said. “That’s always our goal, but it also the goal of Jose Mourinho and also the goal of other managers – Manuel Pellegrini or Ronald Koeman, or Arsene Wenger, for example.”