Ahead of Monday night’s clash against West Brom at the Hawthrons, Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has claimed that lack of Champions League football is hurting his team’s overall performance.
The Red Devils had a disastrous 2013-14 season finishing 7th in the standings, 22 points behind Champions Manchester City. It was the first time that United failed to secure qualification for European football since the 1981-82 season.
United haven’t had a great start to the 2014-15 season but are slowly setting the pace. Van Gaal however believes that a team can only be the best when they ‘play the best’. However, majority of pundits believe that lack of football on weekdays will aid United to finish in the top four. This would enable the Red Devils to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Van Gaal though, said, “I don’t know if there is an advantage [being out of Europe].When you can play the Champions League, especially the Champions League but also the Europa League, you can compare yourselves as a team with the better players, with a higher level.”
The Dutch Legend also believes that playing better opponents would help the players to mature and raise their level when needed. Van Gaal also reckons that youngsters can play their part and it would be ultimately the team that grows as a unit.As of now though, United need to take care of West Brom before they face league leaders Chelsea next weekend.
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