Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that his side will not successfully compete for the Premier League title unless their away form improves.

The Red Devils were held for the third game in a row on the road yesterday afternoon as they battled back to rescue a 1-1 draw against Stoke City.

Despite cutting the gap on leaders Chelsea, who lost 5-3 against Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling London derby later in the day, Van Gaal concedes that the Red Devils still have a lot of work to do if they are to challenge at the top.

"When you want to win the league you have to win away from home, and at the minute we aren't doing that," he told reporters. "We aren't losing, but we aren't winning either. If you want to be a champion, you have to win these games."

Next up for United in the league is a home fixture against Southampton, before they travel to face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.