Louis van Gaal wants to end Manchester United’s eight games without a victory by defeating his “ghost team” Swansea City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United last enjoyed victory on 21 November when Watford were beaten 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Van Gaal eased the pressure on him after United’s improved display in the goalless draw with Chelsea on Monday. Yet the manager knows he has to start winning matches and hopes to do so against the Swans, who have defeated United in each of the three times Van Gaal’s side have faced them.

The Dutchman said: “Swansea have been what I call my ghost team, meaning we are looking to start this new year with what I have been told you say in England by breaking the duck.

“We know it will be tough and know we have to be creative and take our chances if we are going to end this run without a win. And that is the aim – to put smiles back on the faces of the staff, the players and the fans.

“The past year was one full of mixed emotions and we did not finish 2015 on a high as we’d have hoped. A goalless draw at home to Chelsea was disappointing, especially given the chances we had to kill the game.

“When you’ve not won for a number of games, the players’ confidence is low, the support from the stands give the team that extra boost.”