Why Louis Van Gaal kissed Ander Herrera at half-time against Aston Villa

Van Gaal delighted as Herrera scored a brace against Aston Villa

After Manchester United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa yesterday, manager Louis van Gaal revealed he kissed Ander Herrera during the half-time break. The Spanish midfielder scored on either side of the break as United consolidated their position in the top of the Premier League table.

Van Gaal told MUTV: "He has a very good kicking technique and he should only be more composed.

"I said to him 'you have to control the ball before you shoot'.

"I said that to him again in yesterday's training session, and then I kissed him at half-time because he had controlled the ball for the first time in his life and then he shot!

"But then I came after the second half to him and he said 'without control I can do it also!'"

United's win over Aston Villa was their fifth in a row in the league as they opened up an eight-point gap over Liverpool, who lost 4-1 at Arsenal.

Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Sunday, and Van Gaal believes it has become a play-off for second place.

Van Gaal added: "We can look up in the table. The next match is for the second position or the third, I think."

Herrera has been on a good run lately, having taken his opportunities in the second half of the season. The 25-year old has now scored 5 league goals from his 5 shots on target this season.