Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admits the performance against Stoke City was not one of his side's best performances of the campaign.
The Red Devils had to ride their luck in the dying minutes of the game with Ashley Young producing one of the best off-the-line clearances of the season.
"It was not our best performance," said van Gaal.
"We were not aggressive enough in the first half, we didn't keep our position on the pitch.
"I was not pleased at half-time - and I told them [the players]. The second half was better, we created more chances but we need to score more goals.
"Then Peter Crouch comes on, you know the long balls are coming and it is always difficult. But I'm pleased we held this result.
"The last few moments were not necessary, but it is always like that. We have struggled until the end in the Premier League. It is common.
"I'm happy with the result. Tomorrow we have a Christmas party and it's important we enjoy that."
van Gaal also confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney will have a scan later on today to assess his knee injury.
"He [Wayne Rooney] will have a scan and then we will know more," said Van Gaal.
"I hope the injury is not so serious. [Angel] Di Maria is not so serious, but he won't play against Southampton.
"But we've got more players coming back and we can see a little more light in the tunnel."
