Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes the players are now responding to his methods and tactics.

They have now won their last two against Derby and Stoke, scoring six goals. Van Gaal argues he was always convinced his methods would work and that the team's defensive organisation is finally being matched by flair on the ball.

"Our play out of possession was always good," he said. "The key now is our ball-possession play. In the last two matches, we played with more confidence, more direct and so finished the chances.

"I wanted to move the ball more quickly, from the beginning of my management, but you have to be able to do that facing resistance from 10 players behind the ball.

"December was painful, I'd never lost four games in a row before, but I never doubted myself. I analyse the circumstances, we had bad luck beyond our control. You cannot say it's nothing when you have eight players injured for three months and having two positions unoccupied."