Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao have both departed Old Trafford since the end of last season, with Wayne Rooney - often deployed in midfield last term - leading the line against Tottenham on Saturday.
A lacklustre display, with United's only shot on target resulting in Kyle Walker's decisive own goal, prompted concerns over Rooney's sharpness but Van Gaal feels he has plenty of competition already available.
"No, that is not a special item for me - it is more in the media they are discussing about a striker," Van Gaal told reporters.
"The striker is Wayne Rooney and we also have [Javier] Hernandez, [Adnan] Januzaj and [James] Wilson. It is not a special objective for me.
"But when we can buy another striker who has a lot of qualities, more than our players, then we buy. But we have always done that.
"I said it before but they [the media] are not writing it. I have said it before, we have Rooney. You [the media] said he has to play in a striker’s position."
A number of summer signings made their debuts on Saturday, with Memphis Depay installed in an unfamiliar supporting role behind the striker and Van Gaal afterwards revealed he challenged the youngster to step up.
The United boss added: "It is a new position for him and he has to adapt because he is a goalscoring type.
"We have to wait and see if he can fulfil the demands of this position but [he’s playing there] because Ashley Young is playing very good on the left side," said the manager.
"Therefore those is the circumstances but they can change during the season. He can play in this position."
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