Louis van Gaal Needs Win As Manchester United Battle Desperate Norwich City FC
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admitted that he “cannot afford” to lose any of the club’s remaining four games this season. The pressure is mounting on Manchester United to qualify for the Champion’s League, reports Sky Sports.
Chelsea’s former manager Jose Mourinho has been linked to the managerial position at Old Trafford, but Van Gaal is determined to see his contract through and make the most out of the remainder of the season.
Manchester United meet a desperate Norwich City FC who is currently facing a relegation threat hanging at second-to-the-last place in the Premier league rankings.
Van Gaal is looking to win against Norwich, West Ham, and Bournemouth for a chance his club will catch up to Manchester City ahead of FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 21.
Louis van Gaal will call on some specialist help for tonight's team selection: https://t.co/FRydVGsK3k pic.twitter.com/obWL2wEtit
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 10, 2016
When questioned about Manchester United’s performance in the league and cup, van Gaal said “I cannot afford it and Manchester United cannot afford it but in sport you can win and lose,” the United manager said. “It’s hard to accept but it is the truth.
“We have to win our matches because otherwise we cannot be in the first four – that’s the pressure that we have. We have to fight until the end.”
“We are always able to do that, I think, that’s my belief, because of our quality.”
“I want to win the (FA Cup) also, not only the (Champions League) qualification, because I think the FA Cup is a very important title in England.”
“The pressure is high for everybody but also for Norwich because they have to win otherwise they can say goodbye to the Premier League.”
Norwich City will be hoping to repeat their 2-1 win over Manchester United in a previous contest at Old Trafford this season.
When asked whether winning the FA Cup and finishing in the top four would constitute a successful season, van Gaal states “That is for the board to consider and judge. I want to win also the title, not only qualification, but I think the FA Cup is a very important title in England.”
Anthony Martial was expected to start against Norwich City today while Marcus Rashford is being rested ahead of Manchester United games against West Ham and Bournemouth.
Louis van Gaal has not had three consecutive wins in any competition since September; however, he is confident that Manchester United have the quality to make it happen this season.
“We are always able to do that, I think,” he said. “I don’t know when we last did that [won three in a row in the Premier League] but we are always able to do that, that’s my belief, because of our quality. And quality is not only mental strength, it’s also quality as a player, as a team.”
“I think that the best run was in November but we are now having the circumstances that we had in October and November in that we have only a few players injured and not only in the positions of full back so we can cope with the situation and then we can compete with every opponent.”
The odds of Manchester United qualifying increases if Arsenal can stop Man City tomorrow as they meet at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester United will have to pay Louis van Gaal £5 million if they decide to fire him before his contract ends. He is also set to lose £1 million if his club fails to secure a top-four qualification finish.
[Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images]
