Louis van Gaal "amazed" by Manchester United loss to Arsenal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that he was shocked by the club's resounding defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League.

United were undone by three goals in 20 first-half minutes from the Gunners, as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil ran riot in a memorable opening period at the Emirates on Sunday.

"I didn't expect that. I was surprised – not performing to our gameplan, not the will to win," said Van Gaal, according to The Guardian.

"I have not seen that, when you are top of the league [as United were at the beginning of the weekend]. So I was surprised, amazed – maybe that is a better word.

"When you give a team like Arsenal so much space to play football, then you know you will lose. We prepared ourselves to play more compact and not losing our aggression, so it was amazing for me. I am very disappointed."

United currently hold third position in the Premier League standings, one place behind the Gunners on goal difference.