'I am a very crazy coach' - Van Gaal admits results don't always impress him.

The Manchester United manager saw his side labour to victory over Stoke City and wants the Red Devils to see out games more comfortably in future.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted he is a "very crazy coach" due to performances impressing him more than results.

The Red Devils moved to within a point of third-placed Southampton in the Premier League table after a 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Tuesday, with Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata finding the net.

But United had to hang on in the closing stages, with David De Gea and Ashley Young both denying Mame Biram Diouf in stoppage time as the Potters pushed for an equaliser.

And Van Gaal was unhappy that his team did not make life comfortable for themselves, though he was pleased with the way the players reacted after a disappointing first half.

"In the first half we were not aggressive enough and also we didn't keep out positions on the pitch so I wasn't pleased at half-time," he told Sky Sports.

"I think the second half was much better. We created more chances - we scored, but we need to score more goals.

"You know that [Peter] Crouch is coming on and the long balls are coming, but I'm very happy that we held this result until the end.

"The last few minutes were not necessary. We have struggled till the end and in the Premier League it is common but I'm happy with the result. It's our fourth victory in a row which is also important.

"I had to select a new line-up, but I don't want to talk about the injuries. I want to talk about the players who gave us this result. They fought until the end.

"I'm always impressed by our performance than by the result - I'm a very crazy coach. I want a better performance.

"Against Hull City I liked our performance, but today it could have been better."