Their Champions League hopes came crashing down at the Volkswagen Arena on Tuesday and since they finished third in their group, the Red Devils will enter the Europa League at the round of 32 stage.
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“I am working very hard to do what we can do”, said Van Gaal, 64.
Manchester United come into the fixture with plenty of hindrances for van Gaal to ponder.
The former European champions are now heading for the Europa League but van Gaal insists that winning that competition will not be straightforward with the status of United, and the level of European competition, much changed in recent years.
The Brazilian, who joined United in 2008 alongside twin brother Fabio, left Old Trafford to join French side Lyon in the summer, having featured in just 10 Premier League matches last season.
You think Manchester United has a lot of money – that is true.
“I think also the players have to do that by themselves”.
Manchester City are now the favourites to lure Guardiola to the Premier League when his contract expires at the end of the season, but Beckenbauer says a move to United might be more appealing.
Van Gaal said the gulf between the richest and the poorest in England has closed and said the competitive nature of the Premier League explains why it is hard to prosper in Europe. Apparently, van Gaal uses fringe players and reserves to play like United’s next opponent most days building up to a match – goodness knows who performed the role of Wolfsburg’s superb Julian Draxler in training. We shall do everything to win something but it is very hard.
“I can not say anything about myself”.
He was punished retrospectively for elbowing Winston Reid during last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to West Ham United, but his ban will be completed in time for Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford on December 28.
Among fans, however, there is a widely-held perception that United’s style of play is too negative under the Dutchman, while questions are being asked about the quality of the players Van Gaal has brought to the club.
Louis van Gaal has issued a warning that Manchester United should no longer be expected to win consistently.
“I’ll certainly take confidence from that night we beat Man United with Southend and it’s a game I’m sure nobody who was there is ever going to forget”, said Francis.
“You have to manage that you have good results and are progressing, and that we are doing”.
The United manager is already without Phil Jones, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Wayne Rooney and long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia. In the second I think they deserved to draw.
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Sacking a manager is far easier said than done and it would be hugely embarrassing to dismiss van Gaal after firing Ferguson’s successor David Moyes.
