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Louis van Gaal: 'Defenders not to blame'

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes that his defenders are not to blame for the team's recent results.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has deflected attention away from his defenders, claiming that they are not to be blamed for his side's inconsistent start to the season.

Van Gaal's team has been leaking goals, conceding five times to Leicester City and four times to MK Dons in the League Cup.

However, the Dutchman admits that it is his attackers that should be doing more to recover possession.

"I want to improve so that we don't lose the ball so easily. That's our problem, not our defence. We're losing the ball easily, but that's also the character of our team, because we have a lot of creative players and they need more discipline," the 63-year-old said, according to Goal.com.

"So we're looking for a balance in attacking football, without thinking too much in only attacking, but also guarding your defence. I want that my defensive organisation is better but the defence begins in the striker's position.

"It's team work so, when we concede a goal, it's not only because of an individual error in the defence - it starts somewhere else, and that [is something] we have to analyse and improve."

Van Gaal's side host Everton on Sunday, with the Dutchman hoping that his players will be able to keep a clean sheet for only the third time this season.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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