LvG: Darmian was topscorer in Monday's training session

Following Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, where United dominated possession and chances, preventing the opposition from having a single shot on target, Louis van Gaal has praised his team’s performance.

Yes I was very happy with the performance and I think it was a four or five to zero game. We should have finished it much earlier and scored much more goals. We created a lot of chances and we did not give any chances away – one, maybe, in the first half for Adebayor.

With less than five minutes played, Matteo Darmian put a ball in to the box with Damien Delaney put in to the back of his own net. Then 10 minutes after the restart, Darmian scored a great goal from distance to wrap up the three points, which came as no surprise to the manager.

Yes it helps of course and also such a goal [for the second]. I was very happy for Matteo, two times he was involved in the goals and I have seen it already in the training session. He was the top scorer of the day on Monday and he did it again in the match. He shot with his left and right foot, and now he shot for his goal with his left foot.

United are now two points behind Manchester City, and just one point behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand. With four games left to play, Van Gaal believes the pressure is on the teams above us.

Of course we are in the race and we are two points behind City and Arsenal [who are one point ahead of United] have to play tomorrow [Thursday] against West Bromwich Albion. It is not an easy opponent because they will defend, probably, and it is always difficult. You have seen Arsenal against Crystal Palace – it is always difficult.