The Danish outfit already caused one shock in the first leg of their last-32 tie with the Red Devils by winning 2-1 at home.
Advertisement
The Dutchman was asked at a press conference this afternoon whether he feels his side should be making easier work of the Danes.
“I think in March a lot of players are coming back and then we’ll have a full selection, and with our full selection we were first in the Premier League”, he said.
They may have existed for a shorter time than Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has walked this earth, but FC Midtjylland are one game away from the biggest result in their 17-year history.
“But as a player it is not about what I say or what I write, it’s about how I play and how we play. And when I see the data of Midtjylland they have always won against English opponents”.
It would also enable United chief executive Ed Woodward to give Van Gaal every chance of turning around the ailing club’s current campaign.
Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira was delighted to play a part in Monday’s victory over Shrewsbury Town, but insists the players must now focus on upcoming games.
Van Gaal however said Marcos Rojo, who has not played since November, could play 20 minutes.
Will beleaguered Manchester United be knocked out of the Europa League?
I don’t know if the word miracle is right, but FC Midtjylland is 17 years old.
While United’s injury problems are easing somewhat, Van Gaal has called for his remaining players to show big desire to win the game and turn the tie around.
“As a Man United fan, I always hoped we wouldn’t go through a slump, but it was inevitable”, Beckham said.
“Valencia is not available, Januzaj no. They are close”.
Advertisement
Yet, later in the day, former United great Rio Ferdinand admitted that Van Gaal’s battle cry was far from similar to that of Sir Alex Ferguson’s at the Theatre of Dreams.
