Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal wants his players to 'kill' games

Posted Monday, October 20, 2014 by skysports.com

Louis Van Gaal: Wants Manchester United to start 'killing' games to avoid putting themselves under pressure

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says it is vital his team learn how to 'kill' games by playing as a unit.

United have recorded back-to-back wins over West Ham and Everton in their past two matches but were left clinging to 2-1 scorelines on both occasions.

Van Gaal has stressed the importance of all 11 players being disciplined if the team are to avoid tailing off in the latter stages of games and putting themselves under pressure.

"When you see a match, when a trainer or coach is honest, you see his team is not playing 90 minutes at the highest level," he said.

"So, that is not so difficult to feel and analyse, but to improve it is much more difficult. That is what we are looking for."

"The players are willing to do everything and we saw that in the matches against West Ham and Everton, but you have to do it in the right way."

"To kill a game, for example, you need a lot of discipline, and discipline together - not with three players or eight players, but with 11 players."

"That is the most difficult thing and we can do that, but that needs time."

United are lifted ahead of Monday's trip to West Brom by the possible return of a number of players from injury.

Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young, Phil Jones and Michael Carrick have all recently returned to training and could be in contention if they can prove match-fitness.

Defenders Jonny Evans and Paddy McNair and midfielders Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia are still sidelined while captain Wayne Rooney is suspended.