Louis van Gaal insists performances are as important as results as Manchester United boss strives for 'THE PERFECT GAME'

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At one point during his regular weekly press conference on Friday, Louis van Gaal was interrupted by a PA system announcement calling for a masseur to be sent to the first-team dressing-room.

‘It’s an emergency?’ inquired the bemused Dutchman. ‘No? It’s a joke?’ It was neither, just a glitch in Manchester United’s internal communications system.

When it came to getting his own message across, Van Gaal had no such difficulty however.

Louis van Gaal insists there is still room for improvement in Manchester United'sperformances

Robin van Persie and Juan Mata celebrate after extending their winning streak to six games against Liverpool

The Dutchman speaks to Luke Shaw (left) who could return from injury for the game against Aston Villa

Despite going to Aston Villa in search of a seventh straight Premier League win, the United boss still wants more from his players. He will not be satisfied until they deliver something close to what he described as ‘the perfect game’.

It is a demand that even Sir Alex Ferguson believes is a little steep when results are going so well.

‘I am not only focused on results,’ said Van Gaal. ‘That’s the main important thing and when I speak with Sir Alex he says “not any problem, you have won”, but for me it’s also the performance that is very important.

‘When you perform, you shall win more. That’s what I want to show to the fans and the players want to show that. For example, the game against Hull City (a 3-0 win in November) was a good game. We dominated for 90 minutes and I want to see more games like that. And now there are too few games that we are dominating for 90 minutes and that’s a process.

‘Of course when you win six times in a row then the confidence is rising, but I am still looking for a game that is closer to the perfect game than until now.’

Michael Carrick (right) has been named as vice captain alongside Darren Fletcher (left)

Van Gaal admits he is still looking for Manchester United to play 'the perfect game' under him

Phil Jones (left) and Van Persie are put through their paces ahead of the trip to Villa Park

United’s results are all the more impressive considering the injuries that continue to hinder their new manager, particularly in defence.

Michael Carrick is expected to continue playing centre back at Villa with Van Gaal revealing that the England midfielder has been appointed as vice-captain to Wayne Rooney alongside Darren Fletcher.

Van Gaal said: ‘I have three captains but, of course, there is a sequence — Rooney is one, Carrick is two, Fletcher is three. Carrick is my captain so he brings a lot of experience, also a lot of composure. I can use him in different positions and that I like. Because he is my captain, he can transfer my philosophy on the pitch.’

Despite Marouane Fellaini being ruled out by illness, there was better news on the injury front for United with Angel di Maria and Luke Shaw returning to training.

Van Gaal does not agree with former Old Traford manager Sir Alex Fergsuon that winning is all that matters

Record signing Angel di Maria is closing in on a return from a hamstring tear after missing three games

Radamel Falcao (centre) should be given the opportunity to start a game during the busy festive period

Van Gaal would not be drawn on whether Di Maria, who has missed the past three games with a slight hamstring tear, could be among the substitutes, but he indicated that Radamel Falcao is finally pushing for a start.

Previously, Van Gaal claimed that Falcao was fit enough only to play 20 minutes off the bench. Now, with five games in the space of 16 days over Christmas, the striker should not have to wait long for a chance.

‘The first demand is the fitness of a player,’ said Van Gaal. ‘Now he shows fitness in the training sessions so maybe I shall select him. Maybe for the bench or the line-up. Wait and see.’