United boss Van Gaal was under the cosh as he faced up to the prospect of one of the club’s most humiliating European exits.
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And Van Gaal, who insisted that his side can still finish the season in a top four spot, stated that Manchester United will not take the Europa League lightly as winning the competition will enable them to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
“It has a double meaning for us because it would be a first for the club and it also gives us Champions League football next season”.
Meanwhile, Midtjylland are hoping to create “a bit of a miracle” at Old Trafford having last week sent shock waves around the footballing world by beating United.
“They were very committed, they performed our game plan very well and the consequences were we were ahead 2-0 at half-time – a lucky goal from Smalling but a very good free-kick from Mata”, van Gaal was quoted as saying by The Guardian on Monday.
“I go to Milan and people say I am going back to Inter”. Desire … it is a great word.
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Manchester United have won seven of the last nine home matches in Europe (D2), last losing at home in Europe back in March 2013 against Real Madrid.
Beckham has admitted he finds it hard to see United going through a difficult period, but he believes it was inevitable they would struggle following the departure of manager Alex Ferguson and players such as Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
“We had the debate on Soccer Saturday about Manchester United and what they are doing”, said Nicholas. Everyone thinks it’s nothing but you have to analyse every opponent on their own qualities and I think they have a lot of qualities.
Both the Spain worldwide and Van Gaal credited Midtjylland for the inspiration and Thorup said it was an “honour” to hear.
It is a match United approach without a string of first-team players, from Wayne Rooney to Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Phil Jones to Marouane Fellaini. “[Marcos] Rojo can play for 20 minutes maybe, but that is dependent on other injuries”.
“No one better than us as players knows how we felt in the game and whether we’ve done good or bad”.
“We didn’t let them come on to us and create chances from the start and that was good”.
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“Valencia is not available, Januzaj no. They are close”.
