Cape Town - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has warned the rest of the Premier League teams that his side will only get better as the season progresses.
The Red Devils endured a tumultuous start to the new campaign as an opening-day defeat to Swansea City was followed closely by capitulations against MK Dons in the Capital One Cup (4-0) and Leicester City in the league (5-3).
However, Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton at Old Trafford, where David de Gea saved a penalty on the stroke of half-time, hoisted United up to fourth in the league standings, leaving Van Gaal encouraged by the progress he has seen from his squad.
The Dutchman said: "I've already told my players we aren't playing good and we've already hit the top four, so what will happen when we're playing well?
"I mean playing well for 90 minutes, because we've played well for half a game or 60 minutes.
"That needs time - I'm afraid to say it again, but you saw it. We need to improve the organisation because we were outstanding in the first half, but then we let them have so many chances.
"I made substitutions to help our organisation but despite my changes it was not better because in the last 15 minutes they created three big chances.
"David De Gea was fantastic today. When there are a lot of players in front of you your view is not so good as a goalkeeper.
"When the shot comes in from outside the box it is always at the last moment that you see the ball, but his reflexes are very good."
The Red Devils endured a tumultuous start to the new campaign as an opening-day defeat to Swansea City was followed closely by capitulations against MK Dons in the Capital One Cup (4-0) and Leicester City in the league (5-3).
However, Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton at Old Trafford, where David de Gea saved a penalty on the stroke of half-time, hoisted United up to fourth in the league standings, leaving Van Gaal encouraged by the progress he has seen from his squad.
The Dutchman said: "I've already told my players we aren't playing good and we've already hit the top four, so what will happen when we're playing well?
"I mean playing well for 90 minutes, because we've played well for half a game or 60 minutes.
"That needs time - I'm afraid to say it again, but you saw it. We need to improve the organisation because we were outstanding in the first half, but then we let them have so many chances.
"I made substitutions to help our organisation but despite my changes it was not better because in the last 15 minutes they created three big chances.
"David De Gea was fantastic today. When there are a lot of players in front of you your view is not so good as a goalkeeper.
"When the shot comes in from outside the box it is always at the last moment that you see the ball, but his reflexes are very good."