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| Louis van Gaal wants to win the domestic and European titles before he retires in 2017 |
LOUIS VAN GAAL has targeted winning the Premier League and Champions League before he leaves Manchester United in 2017 and retires from management.
The Manchester United manager outlined his sky-high ambitions ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with Wolfsburg at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal – whose side are top of the Premier League – insisted that United have progressed from last season, but that they needed to maintain their improvement if they were to realise his goals.
“We have made progressions in maturity of the team and the balance of the team,” said Van Gaal, who will be without Michael Carrick.
“We have improved when we have to compare with the team of last year and we need still time to improve because we have to improve to win the championship of the Premier League or a tournament like the Champions League.
“We are still improving and I can see that every week.
“I hope (to win the Champions League by 2017). That is realistic because I did it everywhere.
“Reaching the final is also an aim and winning the final is a little bit luck.
“It is not only quality and I think Manchester United knows and remembers that fantastically when they win the Champions League.
“I saw (in 1999) the people of Bayern Munich going downstairs and then they (Manchester United) scored in the last minute and then in extra time they scored.
“You can say that is quality but when you see the match you know it is not like that. When you second come in the final, it is a fantastic but in the media it is nothing.”
Van Gaal insisted it was unlikely he would change his retirement plans.
“Normally, I shall leave after next year but what is normal in our football world?” he added. “You never know so I cannot answer that question but I promised my wife to go with her to our paradise so it shall be very hard for me to deny that promise.
“I was 55 and I go to Bayern Munich and 10 years later I am 65. So to say I stay a year longer, it shall be very hard to my wife.”
United lost their opening group game to PSV Eindhoven in a match over-shadowed by Luke Shaw’s broken leg, but Van Gaal knows the importance of overcoming German opposition tomorrow.
“In the Champions League, you need to win all your home matches otherwise it shall be very difficult.
“It is still possible but it shall be very difficult, so it is important we win.”
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