Jonny Evans admits Manchester United have failed to produce the kind of attractive football this season that their fans have come to expect.
United sit third in the Premier League and are in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup after a sequence of just one defeat in 19 matches.
Yet despite that run, United manager Louis van Gaal has come in for criticism in recent weeks.
Sam Allardyce branded Van Gaal's team "long-ball United," while Paul Scholes said his former club had often played "miserable" football this season.
The United supporters are used to watching largely enterprising football after two decades of Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, and Evans understands why criticism has been directed at the team this year.
When asked whether he had been surprised by the criticism United had received, the defender said: "No. I think as players we know that we could perform better.
"I think the manager wants us to play more attractive football."
There was little sign of improvement on Monday night when United had to come from behind to beat League One side Preston 3-1 at Deepdale.
Van Gaal's team did not have a shot on target until the second half, and they only kicked into life when Van Gaal replaced Radamel Falcao with Ashley Young and altered the formation to a regular 4-4-2.
Evans -- who admitted earlier this month it had been "tough" for the players to adapt to Van Gaal's tactics -- believes the team is improving though, saying: I think we are seeing progress. You can see that with the performances.
"At the start of season we were not playing well and we were not getting results but the manager has got us organised and everyone knows their jobs.
"I think once we get that cemented then we can go and start entertaining again. Once we get the ball down show our composure I think the football will be attractive."
United sealed a quarterfinal clash against Arsenal thanks to goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney, who converted a controversial 88th-minute penalty.
Evans, who was also at the stadium for the launch, thinks United were more deadly at Deepdale when Angel Di Maria was moved out on to the wing from central midfield in the second half.
"When Angel was out in the wide position it allowed him to run at the full-back a bit more," said Evans of Di Maria, who has struggled for consistency since his 59.7 million-pound move from Real Madrid last summer.
"He has come from a different environment at Real Madrid in a different league to work under a new manager here. He has a different system he wants us to play so it will always take time.
"I think he has been fantastic. We know how much of a danger he is. We have seen him in training and we are hoping he can produce that on the pitch as well."
