Louis van Gaal feels the pressure as Man Utd prepare for Champions League qualifier

Louis van Gaal admits he is under pressure at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal feels the pressure as Man Utd prepare for Champions League qualifier

 

United face Club Brugges at Old Trafford tomorrow with the return in Belgium next Wednesday with pride, prestige and a huge £50million cash jackpot at stake.

That's the sum United can expect from gate, TV, sponsorship and UEFA prize money for competing in the group stages.

 

And Van Gaal says that having guided United to fourth place in the Premier League last season to clinch their place in the qualifying round they can't stumble now - especially after missing out European competition last season for the first time in nearly two decades.

Only two English clubs have ever failed to negotiate the qualifying round - Newcastle in 1997 and Everton in 2005.

He said: "There is a lot of pressure because our aim and goal is to reach the Champions League and Arsene Wenger mentioned last year, these kind of matches are difficult.

 

Wayne Rooney has failed to score in his last eight United games

"And because of the draw I think it is much more difficult because we have drawn Brugges and they can defend very good and they can attack also so it shall be a difficult match and that is why the pressure is high.

"All the players, the fans and the board of the club want to participate in the Champions League but first we have to beat Brugges.

"Of course they are the most significant games since I arrived here because as I have already explained the players want to participate and the board wants to participate but especially the fans want to participate so the pressure is high.

 

"We have to show our quality against a good team so you cannot say it is not any pressure because they are a good team."

Van Gaal admits United need to improve despite taking maximum points from their first two Premier League games.

But he refused to answer questions on Wayne Rooney who has failed to score in his last eight competitive club games - two this season following six last season.

He added: "It is always a concern because a manager wants always the perfect game but that game has never been played.

 

"But you see it also in all the other teams. They are not at this moment at the highest level. It cannot be, either but, ok, we have a long way to go but we have a better start than last year.

"Also two clean sheets that says a lot about our structure and our balance in the team so I have confidence that we develop ourselves to a much higher level and I expect that also from my players."

As for Rooney he turned the question back on the media by saying: "I think all the media has written that for one year and advised me I have to put him in the striker’s position so it is amazing that after two matches you are doubting your own opinion so I cannot understand that.

"I have always confidence in my players but we don’t have only Wayne Rooney in the striker’s position.

 

"We have Adnan Januzaj he played in the USA in the striker’s position, played in the USA in the striker’s position, I have given him that chance and he has shown he can do that.

"We have Chicharito (Javier Hernandez) and we have (James) Wilson so I don’t think we have a lack of strikers."

He also refused to answer when asked if he could improve the supply line to Rooney by moving Juan Mata in from his wide right position to a support role as the No 10 - the Spaniard's favoured position.

"Maybe you can ask the board of Manchester United if you can be the trainer coach or the manager and then you can discuss it with your staff. I don’t discuss it with the media.

"I can’t say nothing because when I say something the media put it in another context. I noticed that with my words about David de Gea and I am very disappointed you do that. It is better not to answer certain questions."

Unsettled De Gea remains frozen out of the squad for now with Sergio Romero keeping his place in goal. Phil Jones is United's only absentee because of injury.