Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal feels his side are getting closer to the Premier League's leading teams despite having made their worst start to a season since 1986.
After drawing 1-1 with league leaders Chelsea the previous weekend, United lost 1-0 at derby rivals Manchester City on Sunday, with Sergio Aguero scoring the winning goal after United defender Chris Smalling was sent off. United also lost Argentine centre-back Marcos Rojo to a dislocated shoulder, but although the result left the 20-time champions 13 points adrift of Chelsea, Van Gaal believes they are making progress.
"In spite of all the injuries, we were very close with Chelsea last week and also this week we were very close, but not close enough, and we have to make steps still to improve," he said.
Aguero struck in the 63rd minute after Smalling was shown two yellow cards in the first half for attempting to block a clearance by Joe Hart and then sliding in on James Milner, but United finished the match strongly.
"Of course as a coach or as a manager you can be proud of the last 20 minutes because they showed unbelievable willpower and we could have scored at that moment," said Van Gaal, who described Smalling's dismissal as "stupid". "I have seen the willpower of this team that I said to the players is fantastic, but we have still only 13 points out of 10 games and that is not so much."
Van Gaal's assessment of United's display was echoed by his captain Wayne Rooney, who played as a deep-lying number 10 on his return to the team after a three-match suspension.
"We have to focus on ourselves. You can see every week we are getting better," the England striker told Sky Sports. "We are not far away from being back up there and being a very good side. We came here for a result and leave with no points, so we are disappointed."
Source: FIFA.com
