Man Utd win can be `fantastic start`

Saturday`s 2-1 win over Swansea could be a "fantastic starting point" for Manchester United to build on in 2016, according to manager Louis van Gaal.

United had not won in their previous eight matches, their worst run since January 1990, prompting speculation over the Dutchman`s future.

Saturday`s Premier League win takes United to two points off the top four.

"It`s amazing that you can perform the game plan like we have done, in a risky style, under this pressure," he said.

"I hope this is a fantastic starting point for us," he added.

Van Gaal played Ashley Young - previously deployed as a wing-back - as part of an attacking midfield against the Swans, leaving Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Chris Smalling as a three-man defence. And the manager was rewarded when Young provided an assist for Anthony Martial`s second-half opener on Saturday.

Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled for Swansea, but Wayne Rooney`s instinctive flick 13 minutes from time proved decisive. -BBC