Louis Van Gaal Might Be 'Disgusted' but Manchester United Need to Strengthen

Louis van Gaal has said reports discussing the amount Manchester United are set to spend on new signings are "disgusting" and "disrespectful" in his press conference yesterday. However, United's start to the season would suggest the club do, in fact, still need to invest in the playing squad.

Van Gaal said: "I think it is disgusting always writing about numbers. It is disrespectful to my players."

Van Gaal went on to defend his current playing squad, saying: "I have respect for my selection, and I have said that always, and I believe in the players."

United's four-game winning streak would suggest Van Gaal's belief is beginning to be repaid. Certainly during the 3-0 win over Hull City last Saturday, there was evidence the work he is doing with his "selection"—a word he uses as a synonym for squad— is beginning to bear fruit.

However, United's recent run of good form has not all been plain sailing. The performance against Hull was superb, but otherwise United have been less convincing.

They laboured to a 1-0 win home win over Crystal Palace, totally dominant in terms of possession but lacking a cutting edge. A trip to the Emirates saw a smash-and-grab counter-attacking 2-1 victory over Arsenal—in which better first-half finishing from the Gunners could have seen a very different result.

The 2-1 win over Stoke saw United forced into late defensive heroics to earn the three points.

United's defensive vulnerabilities have not gone away. Of course, Van Gaal has been beset by an injury crisis which has not helped, but injuries to Rafael, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling come as no great surprise.

Samuel Luckhurst, writing in the Manchester Evening News on November 16, pointed out Smalling, Jones and Evans have all been available for selection in just 25 percent of United's games since 2011. Both Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair have exceeded expectations this season, but adding a senior, experienced defender to United's ranks still seems important.

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A new right-back to either cover for, or replace, the excellent but injury-prone Rafael would also help United a great deal. Although Antonio Valencia has performed reasonably well, his lack of natural affinity for the position was evident, for example, against Manchester City when he lost his man, leading to the challenge for which Smalling was sent off.

In midfield, United are much improved this season, and one point of evidence for this is how many goals are coming from that part of the pitch. Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind have all got on to the scoresheet, adding a much-needed dimension to United's play.

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Up front, although United are obviously not short of quality, the changes in formation and personnel have ensured the superstar forwards have rarely clicked to their fullest potential. Whether new players are needed will depend particularly on Robin van Persie's form for the rest of the season and Radamel Falcao's fitness.

That United's squad needs improvement does not seem open to much debate. However, it should also be said it is increasingly clear Van Gaal's arrival and subsequent activity has made a significant difference to what went before. Although new signings in key areas would be welcome, his belief in his current players is looking ever-more justified.

The much-vaunted fact he had fewer points at the same stage in the season than David Moyes had achieved is now redundant. Van Gaal's United are now three points and five league places better off than Moyes' was after 14 games.

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Individual performances have improved considerably, too. Fellaini, for example, looks a man transformed from last season, his two goals being well deserved given his performances. Smalling has responded superbly since his dismissal at City, putting in three excellent defensive performances in a row.

Although United do still need to strengthen, there is something endearing about Van Gaal's disgust at the coverage of potential transfers. In expressing it, he sends a signal to his current players. He believes in them.

While the truth may still be United need to invest further in order to compete at an elite level again, Van Gaal is doing a fine job of making the best of his current situation.