Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (R) and assistant Ryan Giggs chat ahead of their team's English Premier League soccer match against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich October 20, 2014.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (R) and assistant Ryan Giggs chat ahead of their team's English Premier League soccer match against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich October 20, 2014. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was unsatisfied with how his squad performed in their winning effort against Southampton on Tuesday (AEST).

The day looked promising for the Red Devils as they were able to break the deadlock just 12 minutes after kick-off, courtesy of a defensive miscue by the Saints' back-line. However, they could manage to create only two more chances, which included the winning goal by Van Persie in the second-half, after Graziano Pelle provided the equalising strike for the hosts.

"When you are the better team then of course you deserve more," Van Gaal told BBC Sport.

"The performance was not good enough - we were the lucky team."

Nevertheless, he was pleased with how the former Arsenal man responded, whom he appointed as captain of the Dutch national team in 2013, after calling him out for a poor display against the Gunners.

"I think not only the goals are telling something about Robin van Persie, I think also his performance," he added.

"He was one of three players on the pitch for Manchester United who were good or maybe very good. He had a great influence on the result and until now it is his best performance."

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