Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that his team are working hard to "improve" their goalscoring ability following three consecutive goalless draws in all competitions.

The Red Devils have won six, drawn three and lost two games in the Premier League so far, placing them fourth in the table, four points behind leaders Manchester City.

United's scoring woes continued at the weekend when they played out a stalemate against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

"We try to [play attractive football] but I think the rhythm of the game in the Premier League is more difficult to develop that," Van Gaal told reporters. "You can see it every week and not only with Manchester United, with the other teams. Anybody can win or lose to each other. Maybe it is more difficult in the Premier League, I don't know, but we are trying to do that.

"Until now there is always progress, it's always progress. I can remind you of the fact that you were saying, 'defending, defending - that is the problem.' No, no. Defensive organisation starts with the attackers, it's the whole team, and now we are the best defenders of the Premier League, you are saying that we cannot attack. No, it is not true. It is only a moment in the process.

"We have stood first in the Premier League. Now we have a bad period because it is a bad period when you do not score goals. Because football is scoring goals. Football is not a process. Football is not creating chances. No, football is you have to score goals because that makes the difference. We have to improve that, we are busy with that and I hope that we shall score against CSKA Moscow."

United will take on the Russian side at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday.