Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Louis van Gaal's "strong personality" has led to an upturn in fortunes for the club this season.

Van Gaal took over at Old Trafford after the summer's World Cup, and the Red Devils have won six on the spin to move up to third in the Premier League.

Solskjaer thinks that Van Gaal's approach to the role has been the biggest factor in United's surge up the table this term after last year's harrowing campaign that saw them finish in their lowest ever Premier League position of seventh.

The Norwegian told the Manchester Evening News: "He's been a breath of fresh air. The fans and the players needed a strong personality.

"You see he's talking about winning the championship. I think that's the Man United mentality. We shouldn't talk about being third or fourth. We should talk about winning the league.

"I've been here for too many years to say they can't. Be in the hunt in March April and you never know. That's when everything gets decided."

United travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.