Louis van Gaal: Praise the players NOT me for Man United's success

LOUIS VAN GAAL insists the reason for Manchester United's return to form is down to the players, not him.

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League Preview

United sat 10th in the table after losing to City at the Etihad in November and lagged seven points behind their rivals.

But now, some 21 games later, the Red Devils have turned their season on its head, and now sit one point ahead of Manuel Pellegrini's men.

And the United boss insists that the most influential factor is the players, despite criticism that they weren't playing attractive football.

Van Gaal told MUTV: "The key is the players, who are developing themselves in the process of what we have done with each other. I believe because it is not only the last five matches.

"I think in more than 20 games we've only lost two times, so it's a long row of matches that we win or at least don't lose.

Louis van GaalGETTY

Louis van Gaal insists the praise for United's form lies with the players

The players have to do it at the right moment, at the right time against resistance

Louis van Gaal

"You have very good performances and you also have bad performances, but at the end the result is good and the key is always the players.

"The players have to do it at the right moment, at the right time against resistance.

"We have one more point than City now, and we're one point behind the second position in the table [Arsenal], so that speaks for itself, I think."

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