Ryan Giggs has said that Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has "a lot of similarities" to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite an inconsistent start to the season, Van Gaal has taken the Red Devils into fourth place in the Premier League.

Giggs believes that Van Gaal wants the same intensity and preparation from players as former boss Ferguson, who retired in 2013 after 26 years in charge at Old Trafford.

"He demands that in every training session," Giggs told BBC Radio 5 live. "He wants the same intensity as if it was a game.

"There are a lot of similarities to Sir Alex. He sets standards and if you drop below them he is not happy."

Van Gaal succeeded David Moyes during the summer.