Manchester United: Louis van Gaal claimed that his players are finding it difficult to understand his philosophy

Louis van Gaal has admitted that his Manchester United squad are struggling to get to grips with his ideas.

The Dutchman has presided over the club's worst Premier League start, with United going into Saturday's meeting with West Ham having collected just five points from five matches.

"We give [the players] a lot of information," Van Gaal said.

"There shall be a moment in the season that this information is not too much. At this moment maybe it is too much."

Since taking charge on 16 July, Van Gaal has experimented with different formations and made several alterations at the club's training ground in an attempt to implement his "philosophy".

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach is adamant that the club will benefit but has conceded that he may have pushed his players too far, too soon.

"You have to work out that information," said the United manager, who acknowledged that fans are already "very tired" of hearing his pleas for patience.

"It's very difficult because we are starting with a new team and a new relationship between players so that's why it needs time."

Van Gaal revealed United have only one senior centre-back available for Saturday's game.