Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes that his team are 'more balanced' than the last time they faced Stoke City in the Premier League.

The two sides met at Old Trafford at the start of December, with United emerging 2-1 winners.

However, the home side had to survive a difficult final five minutes, where Stoke had two golden chances to take something from the match.

"I remember that match when we played Stoke at home and we were very weak at the end," Van Gaal told reporters at a press conference.

"Maybe you remember what I said at the time that I have to look in the balance of my team and the balance of my team was not as good as it is now.

"When I say every week we are improving, then we have to show that against Stoke City, but also in an away match because we have won all at home except Swansea."

United have only ever lost once in the Premier League against Stoke.