adminMANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal urged his team “to stick together” as he set a target of three successive victories to keep his side in the Premier League title race.
A 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday means United have won just two of their last seven league games.
They are fourth in the standings, three points behind leaders Manchester City.
“Losing two in a row is disappointing, now we’ve to stay in a position to keep fighting,” said Van Gaal.
“We now have to win three matches in a row to still be up there after Christmas.”
United, without a win in their last five games in all competitions, host Norwich next Saturday before travelling to Stoke on Boxing Day and then entertaining Chelsea on December 28.
Leicester, second in table and with a game in hand over United, host Jose Mourinho’s side today and a win for the Foxes would leave Van Gaal’s side five points off the top.
Asked if United can still challenge for the title, the Dutchman added: “We’ave the selection to do that, but we’re in a very difficult position because of injuries.
“We’ve to play a lot of youngsters, who’ve played well, but we’ve to make a revival because we’ve lost two matches in a row.”
Bournemouth’s goals both game from set-pieces, which Van Gaal described as “unacceptable”.
However, he praised the attitude of his players, who he believes are firmly behind him.
“You’ve to perform in a certain way,” he added. “I was pleased with what I saw in the first half.
“For me the most important thing is the commitment of my players to perform as we have agreed and I can only tell they want to do That.” — BBC Sport
Online Reporter