Louis van Gaal: Man Utd can't brag to Man City until we reclaim the Premier League title

Man United boss Louis van Gaal has warned his team they can't brag until they reclaim the title

LOUIS VAN GAAL has warned his Manchester United stars they cannot brag about being better than neighbours City until they have brought the Premier League title back to Old Trafford.

 

United have closed the gap on City in the last year after finishing six places and 22 points behind them in David Moyes' season in charge but Van Gaal admits Manuel Pellegrini's free-scoring team go into Sunday's derby as favourites - on paper at least.

And even if United win the game, Van Gaal says no-one should get carried away because he is still looking for greater consistency after the reality checks of defeats at Swansea, PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal.

"If we beat City we will go top of the table but that doesn¹t mean we are the champions," he said. "The champions are only decided in May.

"If we win it will be a big step but we still have to maintain that form over the season. Only at end of the season can we say if we have closed the gap on our competitors. That is a big question."

Van Gaal pointed to the table as the reason why City should be regarded as favourites for the Old Trafford clash because they have more points, more goals and a better goal difference.

He added: "It's not so important who are the favourites. But when you look at the facts they are first and we are third. And there's a point difference and a goal difference so they are the favourites I think.

"I'm happy that we have a more balanced squad and we have made a big step when you compare us with last year. But we have to improve and we have to wait and see if we can develop as a team and compete [for the title]."

Van Gaal is likely to leave World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, substituted at half-time in Moscow in midweek, out of his starting XI in favour of recalling Michael Carrick alongside Morgan Schneiderlin.

City skipper Vincent Kompany meanwhile is sweating on a recall after boss Manuel Pellegrini warned him he was no longer "untouchable."

Van Gaal is likely to leave Bastian Schweinsteiger out of the starting line-up for the derby clash

He said: "At the beginning of the season I said Vincent and [Eliaquim] Mangala were untouchable because they were playing very well. But since then I have been very happy with Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi.  Remember we won our last six games of last season without Vincent. The important thing is the moment [form] of the player.

"Vincent went five weeks without playing and on his return he played only 58 minutes [for Belgium]. He¹s fit but we¹ll see when he will return. But I always say this team is better with Vincent than without him."