Manchester United will improve in 2015 -Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal felt festive fatigue caught up with Manchester United in their goalless draw at Tottenham but insisted his squad will continue improving in 2015.

The dutchman slammed the Premier League fixture list ahead of a trip to White Hart Lane, which came two days after Boxing Day’s 3-1 home win over Newcastle United.

United will head into their New Year’s Day encounter at Stoke City third in the table and Van Gaal is confident there is more to come from his side in the second half of the season.

“Of course, of course, of course we shall be better [than the first half of the season]. So watch,” he told reporters.

On the dropped points at White Hart Lane, he added: “I have said already, one month ago, what I think about this. It’s scientifically proven that the body cannot recover within 48 hours.

“The second half was much different to the first half. And not only for Manchester United, also for Tottenham because they can play much better than today.

“And also my team could have played in the second half much better. But you cannot do that and also my colleague [Mauricio] Pochettino has changed three players. It’s not for nothing.”

The 0-0 draw leaves United 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea and Phil Jones vented his frustration after the visitors saw a number of chances go begging.

“We created numerous chances in the first half and perhaps should have been three or four nil up at half-time but it wasn’t to be,” Jones said.

“In the second half they came out and pushed us to the end. We knew that would happen but we stayed resilient and we kept a clean sheet.

“It’s nice to get a clean sheet but ultimately the lads are disappointed not to have taken all three points. I thought Falcao and Robin [van Persie] were terrific today, it just wasn’t our day in front of goal.”

He added: I think fatigue is always going to kick in with two games in three days but it’s the same for every club in the Premier League.