Van Gaal challenges his Man United stars to prove they're good enough for Champions League

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has challenged his players to their worth in Champions League

LOUIS VAN GAAL has challenged his Manchester United stars to prove they are good enough to re-establish the club as a Champions League force.

 

United end their year-long exile from the competition proper here tonight with Van Gaal admitting he does not know what to expect - despite spending £280million re-building the squad.

As they prepared to open their Group B fixtures against PSV Eindhoven, he said: "Last season we finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League. That was our aim but now we have to show on the pitch if we are able to win matches at the highest level.

 

"I don't know. I have to wait and see. I think the Champions League is a higher level than the Premier League but maybe it's not like that. A draw away is always a good result in my opinion but I want to win and it very important to win the first [group] match."

Former Ajax boss, Van Gaal revealed he turned down the chance of managing PSV in 2012 before his second spell as Holland boss. "It is true," he added. "But it is always dependant on the moment and the time was not good for me to come here."