Ahead of the derby clash against Manchester City at home on Sunday, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that the Red Devils are much better unit than what they were during the previous Manchester derby in November last year, which City won 1-0, courtesy a goal from Sergio Aguero.

United are currently third in the table with 62 points in 31 matches and are one pint clear off their neighbours, who are currently fourth and take on Crystal Palace on Monday.

“It was another Manchester United [last November], I believe. That was more in the start of the process and now we are in the end of the process,” van Gaal told reporters after his side’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

“Now we have developed the team. I think also the confidence of our players is very high at the moment but also our performances show that, so it’s not the same Manchester United,” he added.

Further elaborating on the progress made by the side, the 63-year-old said that the players are a lot more confident now and called the fixture against City as “decisive”.

“Of course it [confidence] plays a part in the spirit of the players.Now we are winning five games in a row so everybody has to wait for the right moment.

“This next game is the decisive game. It’s like the game against Liverpool and the game against Chelsea — you have to win these kinds of matches,” the Dutchman said.

“ City still have one match in hand at the moment [against Crystal Palace on Monday]. When they lose points or if it’s a draw, then we will be even. They also have a better goal difference so they have to lose, then we are better than City,” he added.

Herera has developed into a better player: van Gaal

The former Barcelona manager also praised the performance of Ander Herera on Saturday, saying that he has grown as a player and has the ability to score goals, despite not getting regular starts.

“He can run box to box, he’s more composed on the ball and positionally he’s playing better. He has developed himself very good.

“He has developed and he scores goals, which is important, because when you can score seven goals and you don’t play regularly this season, then who can do it better as a midfield player?,” van Gaal said.