Louis van Gaal believes that his decision to show a host of players the door helps to explain Manchester United's surge to the top of the Premier League table.
United took over from neighbours Manchester City at the summit on Saturday after beating Sunderland 3-0 at Old Trafford, with Manuel Pellegrini's men having lost 4-1 at Tottenham earlier in the day.
But although Van Gaal has brought in six players this summer -- including Memphis Depay, the scorer of the opener against Sunderland, and Anthony Martial, who has delivered four goals in five games -- he believes those moving the other way have also helped the club to rebuild.
The Red Devils parted company with Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie in the summer, while Javier Hernandez, Jonny Evans, Rafael da Silva, Anders Lindegaard, Angelo Henriquez, Saidy Janko and Reece James were also sold. Tom Cleverley and Ben Amos departed on free transfers as Adnan Januzaj was loaned out and Radamel Falcao's temporary stay was not extended.
And in the summer of 2014, Ryan Giggs retired as a player, while Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa, Alexander Buttner and Bebe left Old Trafford, before Darren Fletcher, Wilfried Zaha and Anderson moved on in the winter transfer window.
Van Gaal told reporters: "You need luck, but the balance of the team is better than last season.
"Because of that we need to win our games. We shall improve every week, yes. I don't see it every week, but see that we are better as a team and a selection.
"I rotate more now because I can. Last year, in my opinion, I didn't have the balance. I have let 20 or 25 players go. So it's a new team."
Van Gaal had earlier spoken of his pride at seeing his United side sit top of the Premier League table.