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Louis van Gaal claims his ruthless summer cull is behind Manchester United ’s remarkable rise to the top of the Premier League.

And the Dutchman has warned his squad that he will keep wielding the axe to bring silverware to Old Trafford, report the Manchester Evening News.

United moved one point clear of Manchester City with a 3-0 win against Sunderland on Saturday.

It is the first time in Van Gaal’s reign that they topped the table.

He believes it was his decision to show the door to stars like Robin van Persie, Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao that has sparked United’s rise.

READ MORE: 5 things we learned from United 3-0 Sunderland

“You need luck, but the balance of the team is better than last season,” said the United manager. “Because of that we need to win our games.

“We shall improve every week, yes. I don’t see it every week, but see that we are better as a team and a selection.

“I rotate more now because I can. Last year in my opinion I didn’t have the balance.

“I have let 20 or 25 players go. So it’s a new team.”

Despite spending more than £250m in the transfer market since taking over at Old Trafford, Van Gaal is adamant that he will continue to alter his squad in his bid to win trophies.

(Image: Reuters) (Image: Getty) (Image: Getty)

He added: “The manager has influence, but the players much more.

“They have to build up a structure in the dressing room and that’s really important.

“They have to accept that structure.

“That is why I do that every season – every season I shall do that - because I think we need that new stimulus.”

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