Van Gaal: We Played As A Team

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal feels the Reds played as a team during the 3-1 win over Leicester City and he was happy with the result.

The Dutchman did, however, feel that his side lacked second-half punch to add to the three-goal margin, but was generally pleased with the outcome, with the 5-3 loss at the King Power Stadium avenged.

"I'm always happy when we win and when we win with three goals," he told MUTV. "Two goals' difference so I’m very pleased. We lost the away match and we have taken revenge of that.

"We have dominated the game, especially in the first half. In the second half, I wanted to kill the game but I have to admit my players did kill the game too much! They played backwards too much. I think you have to wait for the moment you can play forwards and then play it forwards. Nevertheless, we could have scored two goals more and they scored out of nothing."

When asked if he felt the side's speed of passing was quicker, he replied: "Sometimes but not in every attack. That is also not possible, though, because you have seen our opponent has defended with two rows of four and also one of the strikers dropping into his own half. Then it’s very difficult to continue with high-speed attacks so you have to be patient. Today, we were patient enough in the first half and I think we scored three fantastic goals. I'm happy as we have a great result."

A tactical system of four at the back perhaps helped the Reds look more potent and the manager was happy to discuss his system. United are in fine form, losing only once since the derby defeat to Manchester City in early November.

"The results are good but I'm looking always to the process and what our next step is now in that process," he explained. "We played today with four defenders and four midfielders and the balance in the team is also important. I’ve seen today a team that was playing like a team and then you can play with a system like this. It is more difficult in a 4-4-2 with a diamond and you have kept the balance. [There were] only two moments were we lacking in concentration and it cost us one goal."