Louis van Gaal insists Manchester United need to inherit a ruthless streak in order to become Premier League champions after a 1-1 draw with Leicester City.
Jamie Vardy broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record as he became the first player to score in 11 consecutive Premier League matches, Vardy raced onto a Christian Fuchs through ball and calmly slotted past David De Gea.
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored his first goal for the Red Devils after heading in a Daley Blind corner on the stroke of half-time to bring the visitor’s level, though Van Gaal was aggrieved with his side’s inability to come away from the King Power Stadium with three points and miss out on a chance to return to the top of the league.
“I am not happy with a point because we were the better team. We dominated for 90 minutes but we have drawn,” said Van Gaal.
“I have the feeling that we could have won this game. I’ve said to my players – this kind of match you have to win if you want to be champions at the end of the season.”
The 20-time champions failed to create any clear cut chances despite dominating possession, which has become an all too familiar pattern under the Dutchman.
However the former Netherlands manager insisted that it was tough to create against a resilient Leicester City side.
“In the third or fourth phase we have to create more, but it is difficult because you have seen where Leicester City stand on the pitch – it was in the 60 metre area.
“That is a lot of bodies in front of you, but we have created the chances to beat them.
“We could have scored in the second half when Schweinsteiger headed for the second time and if Memphis controls [the ball] better [for his chance] then it’s a goal. We have to wait for the moment that we do that.”
United’s manager allayed any injury concerns surrounding Wayne Rooney after he was substituted in the closing stages with the team chasing a late winner.
“Wayne was a little bit injured, you saw him limping. I also wanted to change a striker because they were not running in behind.
“I could have taken off [Anthony] Martial because he didn’t do that either, so that is why I changed Rooney, because he was a little bit injured.”
United welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Saturday looking to bounce back after back-to-back draws.
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