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| Louis van Gaal was praised for avoiding defeat against Manchester City last weekend |
Louis van Gaal avoided directly addressing the question of whether Manchester United are serious title contenders after their 0-0 draw with Manchester City yesterday, instead claiming the display "gives hope for the future".
Neither side could break the deadlock in a tight and tense game at Old Trafford that saw Jesse Lingard come closest to scoring with a shot off the crossbar.
The result keeps United two points off league leaders City - who are joined by Arsenal at the top of the pile.
Asked on MUTV if United are in the race, Van Gaal replied: “When you see this game, I think the fans were also very proud of the players because, when I go back to the dressing room, they were applauding us.
"Also, the fans have seen the way we have played and it was a very controlled game from Manchester United.
"They are also disappointed, like me, because you have to win against these kind of teams, also for the fans, but the way we have played gives hope for the future."
Gary Neville says United should have beaten City in the derby.
The Sky Sports pundit, who spent his whole career with the Red Devils, complemented Van Gaal for balancing a trip to CSKA Moscow in midweek with a derby clash at the top of the table.
“I think Louis van Gaal will probably feel his team could have edged it in the second half but I think he’ll also be appreciative of the application and the tough week they had," he said.
“They’ve travelled to Moscow, to Goodison Park and then played a Manchester derby.
"After what happened against Arsenal [a 3-0 defeat], I think he would have taken this last week.”
In transfer news, both Chelsea and United are thought to have opened talks over a £40million move for Antoine Griezmann.
Atletico Madrid do not want to sell their star striker but the Daily Star claim a deal could be struck in January.
Both Premier League clubs are seeking forward recruits in the winter window.
Chelsea have struggled for results and currently languish 15th in the Premier League after losing five of their opening 10 games of the top-flight season.
And, with Wayne Rooney coming under fire for his lack of goals this term, it appears as though United may make a move for Griezmann in the coming months.
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