Louis van Gaal: 'Our bad start cost us the title... next year will be different,' says Manchester United boss

Van Gaal also promised there will be changes to his squad

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United could have won the title this season (Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has blamed the club's poor start to the season for his side not challenging for the Premier League title.

The Dutch coach, whose objective at the star of the year was to return the club to the Champions League, also promised that United would be better and improved next summer, when they have "a different squad".

At the start of the season United only won three of their opening 10 matches, but they now need just six points from their final four games to achieve their goal of Champions League qualification after a strong finish to the campaign.

The United boss has been happy with the team's progress - despite recent successive defeats - but he believes he could have been challenging for the title had it not been for their laboured start.

"We started very badly this year. When you cut the start of it we shall equalise Chelsea," Van Gaal said.

"But now we have to start better. Now we have to make the balance in our selection better, then we have to perform at the moment that it has been asked, better than this year."

Chelsea are 15 points clear of United, but Van Gaal does not think there is a huge difference in quality between Jose Mourinho's squad and his own.

Next year, the Dutchman insists, United will be serious title challengers.

"This year Chelsea is far above the other clubs. Next year it can be different," he said. Next year we will have a different squad. Not just us, but Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and all the other clubs who are battling for the first positions.

"There is not a big gap I don't think. You can judge that when clubs are playing against each other."

Additional reporting from PA