Van Gaal urges players to dream the dream

Louis van Gaal has been telling Manchester United’s players to think of beating Stoke while they are in bed.

United will make it eight wins from 10 matches if they beat Stoke at the Britannia Stadium today.

The idea of travelling to Staffordshire for a lunch-time kick-off on New Year’s Day may not appeal to many people — particularly those who enjoyed a heavy night seeing in the new year. But Van Gaal is relishing the opportunity of gaining ground on Manchester City and Chelsea who play Sunderland and Tottenham, respectively, later in the day.