"Manchester United need miracle to win title" - Van Gaal

It would be a “miracle” if Manchester United won the Premier League title this season, according to manager Louis van Gaal.

The Dutchman, who suffered defeat at home to Swansea City in his first game in charge in the English top flight, emphasised United’s shortage of experienced defenders.

However, he has not ruled out the possibility of the Red Devils winning the league, referencing his first term in charge of Bayern Munich (2009-10), when a poor start was followed by Bundesliga glory.

“I think it would be a miracle but it is also possible,” said Van Gaal. “It is always possible but it shall be very difficult.

“When I got to Bayern Munich, the selection was not stable. What we did was a miracle.

“Now, this selection here is not in balance. There are five number nines, six number 10s, and so on. And we don’t have defenders.”

The Glazer family, Manchester United’s owners, will give Van Gaal time to bring the club back to the top of the pile, the manager believes.

“I think the owners understand or I would not have accepted this job,” he said

“I have discussed everything – long discussions where I have shown myself, as I am always open. That is why we discussed three years for my contract, not one year.

“And what are the consequences when you are hiring me? I have told them.

“And my experience in my former clubs was always that the start was difficult. I know I give a lot of information and I know that I load the brain a lot and the players have to adapt to that situation. That is not so easy.

“Then you can say to me, maybe a little less information, but that is not possible because we have to change the way of playing football and the way of transferring my methods.

“That is not only in team meetings, that is also on the pitch every day and when I give an exercise it is always with a tactical purpose. So, they have to think a lot.

“When I ask the players for their opinions, they are saying that it is different to what they are used to.”