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WATCH: Van Gaal remains coy over Manchester United’s league standing

Manchester United v Cambridge United - FA Cup Fourth Round Replay

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Manager Louis van Gaal of Manchester United gestures during the FA Cup Fourth round replay match between Manchester United and Cambridge United at Old Trafford on February 3, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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Despite achieving an improved third-place standing, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is not falling victim to any hype surrounding his squad.

United will encounter Sunderland at Old Trafford in league action on Saturday. A 2-1 loss to Swansea City one week ago erased the Red Devils’ seven-game unbeaten run, so the upcoming fixture will determine whether or not the PL big dog can bounce back to triumph immediately.

Even though the season has unfolded to the Van Gaal’s satisfaction, the former Netherlands boss thinks his side has the ability to achieve higher goals.

“It is our objective to reach, and that we have talked about in the start of my job here. But its also a process of three years,” he said.

“I’m not pleased with a lot of performances of my team, but our process is continuing and always we are going better. In spite of all the criticism on the defense, we don’t have many goals against us, so we are not unhappy. We could have better results.”

It took time for United to mesh several newcomers together and become a threat in the top-five. Van Gaal attributes his crew’s success to fitting a certain “philosophy.”

“Every team has its own philosophy and then you have to play like that philosophy,” he said.