• Premier League

Van Gaal feeling 'lousy' over United's poor start

Louis van Gaal believes it will take three years to fully restructure Manchester United in his image © Getty Images

Enlarge

Louis van Gaal admitted he is feeling "lousy" about Manchester United's low points total but remains adamant he is the man to turn their fortunes around.

United have only taken 13 points from their first 10 games, their worst start to a season since 1986-87, when Ron Atkinson was sacked and Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed to replace him.

But Van Gaal, who spent £152 million on six new signings, believes United's injury problems account for their faltering form.

Speaking ahead of United's trip to Crystal Palace, he said: "I'm feeling lousy for everyone that we have 13 points from 10 games. When I want to select the same line-up, I cannot. It's the same every week.

"I feel for the fans and also the board because they have belief in me, my staff, and my players. Thirteen points from 10 matches, you are not doing well, but we are in a process.

"As I have said from the beginning, even when we won five games in the USA [in pre-season], the process shall take more than one year. It shall take three years, I hope, though that is dependent on lots of things. But I think we will make it happen, that we will win a lot of matches."

"I have the experience that people have great belief in what we are doing now, in the way we are playing football. When I am in the streets I am surrounded by very positive things, and when I'm in a car from United, there are lots of positive people."

Van Gaal also defended his much-criticised back four and argued that, apart from an aberration in the 5-3 defeat at Leicester, their record is respectable.

"I don't agree with your opinion of the defence," he said. "If you don't count the five goals at Leicester, we have better than Chelsea I believe. That's not the problem, the balance is. That is why I have remodelled the structure of my team.

"Now I have to solve the problems of the injuries every week, that's another story."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd