• Premier League

Van Gaal unhappy with players' concentration

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United are still far from hitting top gear despite moving fourth in the Premier League with victory over Everton on Sunday.

The 2-1 win at Old Trafford was United's third consecutive home victory - something they failed to achieve all of last season.

Louis van Gaal says United "were not good in the second half" © Getty Images

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Van Gaal spent more than £150 million in the summer in a radical overhaul of his squad, but feels his side continue to lack organisation on the pitch.

"I am always honest when I analyse the game and it is now our second game that we are not good in the second half," said Van Gaal, whose side held on to beat West Ham 2-1 at home eight days earlier after Wayne Rooney was sent off with half an hour to go.

"Maybe last week [against West Ham] we had an excuse, but I said to my players it is not an excuse playing 11 v 10.

"It is easier to keep your organisation then because it allows you to play compact. We didn't do that last week and now we didn't do it this week. I have changed things to improve that organisation, but in spite of that it was not like that. I have told the players that.

"We have to play for 90 minutes. I am responsible for the team and I have tried to improve [the organisation], but I couldn't do that [today]. You can say I have failed in my tactics, but I don't agree it is always like that.

"I've also told the players that we are not playing good but we are already fourth in the table. So what is coming when we are playing well [for 90 minutes]?

"We have played very good for 45 minutes already, sometimes for 50 or 60 minutes, but we have to do it for 90 minutes."

United were indebted to goalkeeper David De Gea after he produced a series of stunning late saves to keep Everton from snatching a point.

"He was fantastic today," Van Gaal said. "He stopped a penalty at the end of the first half and he did very well in the last 15 minutes.

"When you stop those kind of shots, you are very good. It is always good when a goalkeeper has such games - it shall improve his confidence."

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