Louis van Gaal has said that Sir Alex Ferguson told him not to worry about Manchester United having not played to their potential as long as they keep on winning.
United, the 20-time champions of England, are on their best run since Van Gaal arrived at the club in the summer after recording six successive victories.
But while the Dutchman has been frustrated that they have not reached a peak level of performance yet, Ferguson, who won 13 titles in his 26-year reign as manager of the side, has consoled him by saying that just getting the result is the most important thing.
Van Gaal told a news conference: "I am not only focused on results. When I speak with Sir Alex, he says: 'Not any problem, you have won.' But for me, it's also the performance that's very important because when you perform you shall win more.
"That's what I want to show to the fans and the players want to show that, and I think also that the guarantee of wins is much bigger when we perform better."
United visit Aston Villa on Saturday looking to record their seventh straight win with Van Gaal stressing that he is a perfectionist.
He added: "Of course, when you win six times in a row then the confidence is rising, but I am still looking for a game that is more closer to the perfect game than we have given until now."
Van Gaal refused to give an update as to whether goalkeeper David De Gea will sign a new contract at Old Trafford.
De Gea, 23, who has been in outstanding form this season, will soon enter the last 18 months of his current deal and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
United are expected to try and tie him down to another deal, but Van Gaal said: "We give that news but first on Manchester United TV."