Louis van Gaal has claimed that his aim at Manchester United is to turn us in to the best club in the world.

“My ambition is that I have the best players who can collaborate with each other to form the best team in the world,” he said. “We were very quick to buy Victor Valdes. Did you notice? When we can, we deal quickly.”

However, when asked to discuss specific players, the manager was tight-lipped.

“I don’t discuss that with you,” Van Gaal said with a smile, when asked about whether Mats Hummels or Kevin Strootman would be signing this month. “You can ask it another way but I am always saying the same answer.”