Van Gaal: The Key Points

Louis van Gaal spoke to BT Sport and MUTV after Manchester United's last-gasp win over Watford on Saturday lunchtime. Here are the key points from the manager's post-match reaction...

Team spirit
I was amazed at the spirit in our team. We had the late penalty [against us] but, as a team, we created another three possibilities in five minutes after that. Before the goal from Schweiny [Bastian Schweinsteiger], Chris Smalling had a fantastic shot at goal and [Heurelho] Gomes saved it fantastically. When you can do that as a team, then I am very proud of that team.

Going top
Of course we are fighting for the first position in the Premier League. Okay, we might only be top for one hour [before the other fixtures] but we are there for the second time this season. Every week, we are getting closer, but at the end [of the season] is the important time.

Improvement as an attacking unit
I think we didn't play so good offensively. We created a lot of chances and we could have finished the game much earlier when you saw the chances that Jesse Lingard had. We didn't play so well in ball possession, but we did play very well when the opposition had the ball. We didn't give away many chances and also the penalty, but I expect better than today of our positional game.

Praise for Memphis and Lingard
In the first half, Memphis was superb, like Jesse Lingard. I think also this role for Memphis is the best one for him. He played it also in the World Cup for me when [Robin] van Persie and [Arjen] Robben were injured so I knew he could do it. Jesse also was fantastic and we have created a lot of chances thanks to those two.

Timely boost
Memphis needs this goal probably the most. It was also good for Schweinsteiger. Every player needs a goal or a boost, especially Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin after the tragedy in Paris. I think it's a compliment for those two that they have played.

Schweinsteiger's goal?
I have to give the credit to Schweinsteiger, he shoots the goal there and the defender [Deeney] wants to stop the ball. I think it's a goal for Schweinsteiger.

Herrera hamstring injury
Herrera was not playing an international game so he had four days off. So you never know [with injuries]. Football is a difficult sport.