Scoring goals not as important as winning points, insists under-fire Manchester United boss Van Gaal

Updated 27/11/2015 at 20:05 GMT

Louis van Gaal has defended his Manchester United side's heavily criticised recent performances in fairly bizarre terms.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and assistant manager Ryan Giggs looks dejected

Image credit: Reuters

Speaking ahead of his side's clash with top-of-the-table Leicester City this weekend, Van Gaal's words came as he spoke about this weekend's opponents, saying that in his view Leicester are capable of turning their fine start to the season into a genuine effort at winning the title.

“I don’t think anybody has expected that, even Leicester themselves,” Van Gaal said.

“But they are deserved at number one because points are the most important thing; goals are important, but winning points is more important.”

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Such a statement will not reassure fans who have become increasingly agitated of late about United's lacklustre attacking play, with Rio Ferdinand on Friday just the latest in a string of former United players who have panned the current team.

Paul Scholes also took a swipe at the United side this season, calling them boring.

Paul Scholes, pictured, is friends with Oldham's owner Simon Corney

Image credit: PA Sport

[GO GET 'EM, SCHOLESY: Scholes: United are boring and can't score goals]

But Van Gaal is unrepentant.

"Our defensive organisation is normally the best part of our game. We've proved that more than ever this season," he said. "The fans have to be happy, you are playing for the fans but you have to see how our opponents are playing against us.

"If we weren’t creating chances I’d be worried, but we are and we don’t give too much away – normally our results are good."

Van Gaal also spoke about his opposite number Cladio Ranieri,

"I have good and bad memories of facing him. He's an excellent manager and I'm happy for him," said the Dutchman.

As for Leicester's star striker Jamie Vardy? Van Gaal praised him as well, albeit in less flattering terms - no doubt due to his bitter memories of the striker's key role in the game which United lost 5-3 to Leicester having led 3-1.

Leicester City's Esteban Cambiasso (R) scores a goal against Manchester United (Reuters)

Image credit: Eurosport

"He was already last season a very nasty player for us," said Van Gaal. "I remember Vardy in that game, so I don't want to remember that game especially, because of the result but also the way we lost wasn't good.

“Vardy scored, won a penalty, and now he is scoring 10 games in a row.

“I only know Dennis Bergkamp, as a player with me, who did the same with Ajax. It's not so easy to do that.

“That game [against Leicester], I said also in the press conference after, we lost because the referee gave a penalty, against Rafael, I remember that very well.

“In my opinion, he [the ref] changed the match, but of course it was still 3-2 then, so you cannot blame the ref you have to blame yourself, but it was the return of Leicester in that game.”

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