Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal kissed Ander Herrera as he was so pleased with his first goal against Aston Villa

Louis van Gaal has a reputation as a no-nonsense disciplinarian but the Manchester United manager punctured that image by revealing just how pleased he was with Ander Herrera's first goal against Aston Villa

The Dutchman explained he had been imploring the Spanish midfielder to control the ball before shooting in order to demonstrate a greater level of composure.

And Van Gaal's emotions got the better of him when the players came in at half-time with a 1-0 advantage thanks to Herrera's 43rd minute strike.

'He has a very good kicking technique and he should be more composed,' Van Gaal said to MUTV. '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 to him after the second-half and he said 'without control I can do it also!'

United strengthened their place among the top-four of the Premier League by emerging 3-1 winners against Tim Sherwood's side at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Herrera at the double.