Reds must be ruthless - LVG

LOUIS van Gaal has told his Manchester United side they must be more ruthless if they are to win the league title this year.

United failed to finish a trying 2014 with a flourish, drawing 0–0 at Tottenham, and need a memorable end–of–season run to overhaul Chelsea and Manchester City to claim a title Van Gaal still insists is possible.

“We are improving every week. I was very happy with the first half display,” he said.

Asked if United will be better in 2015 after a fraught 12 months, Van Gaal responded: “Of course. Of course. Of course, we shall be better. So watch.”

United named an unchanged starting XI for the first time since November 2012 from necessity, according to Van Gaal.

The Dutchman described the second half of the goalless draw at Tottenham as a “struggle for life” after outlining his frustrations with a fixture schedule that demanded two Premier League matches in 48 hours.

The visitors, who had not lost at White Hart Lane since May 2001, swept Newcastle United aside in 53 minutes in the 3–1 win on Boxing Day.