According to Louis Van Gaal, it’s not “realistic” for Manchester United to become champions, even if they spend more than £250million.
Van Gaal is looking forward to a win in the last game week of the English Premier League this season tomorrow as their Champions League hopes are almost over for the next season. The fans are disappointed as this is the 2nd time in three years when United failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
A win over Bournemouth will not be enough to qualify for the top level of European competitions as even if they beat Bournemouth tomorrow they will be below Man City in the league table. Only way Louis Van Gaal’s side can finish fourth is when City draws or loses the game with Swansea this week.
The only satisfactory result Van Gaal can gift the fans is the FA Cup trophy. Manchester United are in the final round of FA Cup and Crystal Palace are in their way, LVG must beat Crystal Palace to get something out of this disappointing season.
Van Gaal has one more year left on his contract and he has agreed that it is up to the board whether they want to keep him as their manager or not.
But fans are unhappy as a fortnight ago Van Gaal said the Red Devils’ expectations were “too high” to think of them as potential champions.
“We can win the FA Cup. How many are still in the race? How many? Of course, when we don’t qualify ourselves [for the top four] then we don’t reach our aim,” said Van Gaal.
“That is true, because our aim was to qualify, but we are in the final of the FA Cup and we are in the race [for fourth] going into the last match, so mathematically we can qualify still.
“How many teams can say that? Not many. Of course, you can say Manchester United need to be champions. Yes, I know the expectations are like that, but I don’t think that is realistic.”
Despite leading 2-1 in the West Ham game, Van Gaal’s side lost 3-2 due to tactical faults, which could cost United a loss of £40million in Champions League revenue.
Van Gaal’s statement on the situation: “We are dependent on Manchester City, that’s the difference. That’so frustrating when we had the chance to keep that advantage two matches from the end.
“We were 2-1 ahead with 15 minutes to play and then we gave it away. Now we are dependent on others but it is still possible. We will fight until the end.”
“I can say that we have to improve still,” said Van Gaal. “I don’t think we have to improve our defensive organisation too much, but we have to score more goals and improve our attacking way.
“We need creative, fast players in attack and we have to change that.
“I’m always evaluating and always adapting to the situation where we stand. It’s always the same – you have to evaluate yourself but also your staff and players, and that I’m doing.”
Van Gaal himself knows it pretty well that he will face evaluation by the United board if United go trophy-less this season. The Dutchman will do his best to grab the FA Cup and leave the decision up to the board for the next season. But for now, it is highly unlikely for City to drop points against Swansea thus for Van Gaal its Champions League or Bust.