• Premier League

Van Gaal challenges United to top scoring charts

Louis van Gaal has challenged his new-look Manchester United team to become the Premier League's top scorers after their four-goal demolition of Queens Park Rangers.

Van Gaal's side had only struck twice in their first three league games, but with Radamel Falcao making his debut as a substitute and scorers Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera appearancing for the second time for their new club, their first win came in emphatic fashion.

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While United's total of 64 goals last season left them 38 behind top scorers Manchester City, Van Gaal hopes his team can outscore their rivals this term.

"I have played always attacking [football] I believe and all my teams have scored the most of the league, so I hope at the end of this league we shall score also the most," Van Gaal said.

The manager also claimed it was a new start for United after he reshaped his squad by making six signings in the transfer window - Di Maria, Herrera, Falcao, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw - in a summer when 19 players left Old Trafford.

"I said to the players before that we have to make a new start, because we start from the first [game in] September after the transfer window," Van Gaal added.

The 63-year-old said he hoped his first victory in charge was the start of a process that will lead to United reclaiming the title, though his immediate aim is to ensure they finish third or higher.

"The purpose of our goal is to be in the first three because we have to qualify ourselves in the Champions League but that is not the most important thing," he said. "The most important thing is trajectory.

"We are building a process and we have to play in a certain style. At the end I hope to be manager of the champions of the Premier League. If it is not this year, then in my second year or my third year but I want to give the championship to the fans."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd