Manchester United legend Bryan Robson is impressed by manager Louis van Gaal's work in the transfer market.

Van Gaal's opening gambit last summer heralded the arrival of Angel di Maria, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo plus Radamel Falcao on loan.

"Louis van Gaal's signings have definitely improved us," Robson told the Manchester Evening News.

"You may say that with the money spent, it should do, but you look at Liverpool. They spent £100m last summer but haven't improved one bit. They have gone backwards.

"You have to look at that and say the signings haven't improved them. At least ours have helped us get better and we are back up there and not too far away.

"His signings have been really good. That is one of the main things to get right when you are a manager. You have to make sure your signings improve your squad and your team and Louis van Gaal is doing that.

"One of Sir Alex's main assets was his ability to pick out a player. He bought strong characters - his buys were brilliant. They made us successful.

"In the dressing room then there was a sense of growing excitement as more and more new signings were made."