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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
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2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
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11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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