• Premier League

Van Gaal: United have made new start

Louis van Gaal was impressed with his side's display © Getty Images

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Louis van Gaal says Manchester United have "made a new start" after their resounding 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera opened their accounts at the club, while fellow summer signings Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind also started in a new-look United side.

Van Gaal opted for a diamond formation in midfield and four at the back as he ditched his 3-5-2 system. The move brought him his first competitive win at United having taken just two points from their opening three Premier League games before today's match.

Angel Di Maria grabbed a goal and an assist in a man-of-the-match display on his home debut © Getty Images

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"It's a very good start. I said before the game let's make a new start again," Van Gaal told Sky Sports after the match.

"From the 1st of September we were only two or three days together. With internationals coming back, they also have jetlag like [Radamel] Falcao. There were also players like Rafael who have not played 90 minutes until now, I had to change him also.

"The result is fantastic but we can be better. We have made a very good new start."

Van Gaal was reminded that he needed four games to secure his first victory at Bayern Munich in the 2009-10 season, a 3-0 win over Wolfsburg that came after the signing of Arjen Robben, who was among the scorers.

Bayern went on to win the title that season and he believes that could prove a good omen for United following their own late transfer activity.

"We won with one goal more so maybe it's a good signal," he quipped.

When asked in which areas United had improved as opposed to their home defeat to Swansea and draws at Sunderland and Burnley, Van Gaal said: "In ball possession. We have lost too much the ball, but we were more direct to the goal.

"Also we have created a lot of chances, but then we don't score them. But OK, I'm very happy.

"When you have a result 4-0 then you can be happy as a coach but you always have points that you can improve. But I'm very happy because of the result and the way we played.

"We were very dominant and we scored goals, again a clean sheet is also very important."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd