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| Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists that his side will be kings of Europe once again |
LOUIS VAN GAAL believes he can turn Manchester United into the kings of Europe once again.
Van Gaal is convinced he is building a United squad capable of winning the Champions League for the first time since 2008.
"You have to believe in the youth education. When you see Manchester United, and how many young players we have and play, we are starting with Luke Shaw, Memphis Depay, Adnan Januzaj, then Jesse Lingard, Paddy McNair.
The Dutchman lifted the European Cup two decades ago with Ajax when he triumphed with a blend of youth and experience.
It is the same mix he is attempting to create at Old Trafford as Van Gaal looks to lead United into the group stages.
United take a 3-1 lead into tonight's Champions League play-off second-leg against Club Bruges.
United are in pole position to book their place in tomorrow's draw for the group stages and Van Gaal is convinced he is starting to assemble the same kind of squad that saw him take unfancied Ajax to the pinnacle of European football in 1995.
He said: "Yes, I believe in that. I believe more in the mix, than players only from 27 to 34-years-old.
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| Manchester United target Jasper Cillessen insists that he has no intention of leaving Ajax |
"They are all playing the squad and sometimes they shall play more matches.
"It is also dependable what is happening in the transfer period, and we are starting to make a mixture, and it is important to make a mixture with young and older players.
"We (Ajax) won the final with players aged 18 and 19, but also with players like (Michael) Carrick and (Bastian) Schweinsteiger - it was Frank Rijkaard and Danny Blind, they were over 30. I believe in the mix."
Van Gaal is desperate to reach the Champions League proper but is taking nothing for granted and he added:
"We have to wait and see about the draw. It's dependable also on the quality of our opponents, but first we have to beat Bruges and that is difficult enough.
"Let's wait and see if we are continuing in the Champions League because that is the most important thing."
Meanwhile Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen insists he has no intention of joining United before the transfer window closes.
Cillessen has been targeted as the long-term replacement for David de Gea, who wants to join Real Madrid, but he said:
"As far as I know it has never been a thing. I, the club, or my agent have never heard anything. As for me, this season begins and ends at Ajax."
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