Leicester vs. Manchester United: Louis van Gaal's Key Quotes from Presser

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has insisted picking up points is more important than the team’s style of play at the moment, with the Old Trafford outfit seeking to go back to the top of the Premier League table this weekend.

The Red Devils boss also told reporters it is none of their business whether Leicester City’s star striker Jamie Vardy is a transfer target for the club, as he addressed the media on Friday ahead of his side’s trip to face the surprise league leaders at the King Power Stadium.

After a week in which Van Gaal’s side have received more criticism for their dreary playing style, the Dutchman insisted the manner in which they accrue wins is a secondary concern, comparing his team’s approach to that of their upcoming opponents.

“I don’t think anybody has expected that [Leicester at the top], even Leicester themselves,” said Van Gaal, per the Daily Mirror. “But they are deserved at No. 1 because points are the most important thing; goals are important, but winning points is more important.”

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Van Gaal was also adamant that despite fan angst at the team's style, his side are carving out a lot of chances, per United’s official Twitter feed:

Leicester have been the antithesis of United in many ways. Claudio Ranieri’s side are daring in their approach, playing a high-octane brand of football and seem more content winning games 3-2 rather than 1-0. They have certainly been entertaining during their surge to the division's summit.

Much of their stellar form is due to the goalscoring heroics of Vardy, who could become the first player in Premier League history to net in 11 consecutive games should he score on Saturday.

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Van Gaal was asked whether the England international is a player United may look to sign in the future, but he gave a typically bullish response, per Paul Hirst of the Press Association:

The man who currently holds the joint record with the Foxes man is former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. However, Van Gaal chose to compare Vardy to a different but equally impressive former Dutch striker, per the Daily Mirror:

"

He was already last year a very nasty player for us. He scores, he provoked a penalty and now he is scoring in a row ten goals so now you are a great player.

I only know, for example, Dennis Bergkamp as a player with me did the same with Ajax and that is not so easy.

"

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Van Gaal had more praise for Ranieri and his Foxes side, who are a point clear of second-placed United heading into this weekend’s fixture, per the club’s Twitter feed:

When asked whether or not Leicester are good enough to preserve their top spot throughout the entirety of the season and win the league title, the United manager said “It is possible, I think,” per Hirst.

Van Gaal also discussed his own team and elaborated on the decision to send James Wilson out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion, per the club’s official website.

Some supporters were unhappy with the choice not to utilise the academy product, especially given the current dearth of options when it comes to natural centre-forwards. Van Gaal admitted it’s a deal which could harm United in the short term, but it will be beneficial in the long-term, per Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News:

"

I have not always chosen him in the selection, and I think for him it’s better to play at his age than sit on the bench or play in the second squad. In the short term, maybe it’s not so good for Manchester United, but in the long term it’s better. It is part of the development of a player.

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Ahead of the Leicester clash, there were also some updates provided on the fitness of a couple of key players. However, it’s bad news for both Ander Herrera and Phil Jones, who are set to miss the vital clash at the King Power Stadium, per the United Twitter feed:

If the Red Devils were to take three points against the Foxes on Saturday and go top of the table, it would continue what has been a peculiar precedent for this team. United may not be playing a scintillating style of football, but they are well in the hunt for Premier League glory in a division rife with inconsistent sides.

Leicester will be a big test and in Vardy, they have a player in the form of his life. If United can continue their defensive robustness and add a little more attacking flair, they have a brilliant chance to grab what’d be a vital victory. Given the conservative nature of the visitors' play, it’d certainly be a big surprise if we were to see a repeat of the Foxes’ thrilling 5-3 win in this fixture last term.