Manchester United boss has criticised his current squad’s lack of discipline, suggesting that they need to improve this in order to kill off games, as reported by the Daily Express.
Despite huge pre season optimism around the club, Van Gaal has not overseen a big improvement in form from his players, winning only three of the eight Premier League games that they have played.
They sit 11 points behind Chelsea in the Premier League as a result, comfortably part of the chasing pack rather than challenging for the title themselves.
Van Gaal believes this is down to a lack of discipline in the squad, and that more needs to be added if they want to challenge for the title in earnest.
He said: “When you see a match, when a trainer or coach is honest, you see his team is not playing 90 minutes at the highest level.
“So, that is not so difficult to feel and analyse, but to improve it is much more difficult. That is what we are looking for.
“The players are willing to do everything and we saw that in the matches against West Ham and Everton, but you have to do it in the right way.
“To kill a game, for example, you need a lot of discipline, and discipline together – not with three players or eight players, but with 11 players.
“That is the most difficult thing and we can do that, but that needs time.”
Man Utd spent £150 million in the summer improving their squad, having finished in seventh place last season.
The appointment of Van Gaal did not bring immediate results, with an infamous 4-0 loss to MK Dons in the League Cup making headlines in the early part of the season.