Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is confident his side can overcome a tough run of fixtures and finish in the Premier League’s top four.
The Red Devils play host to top-four rivals Tottenham on Sunday before travelling to bitter rivals Liverpool a week later. Home games against Aston Villa and cross-town rivals Manchester City follow for Van Gaal’s side, before what could turn out to be United’s most important game of the season – a trip to Stamford Bridge to face table-topping Chelsea.
Van Gaal admits the upcoming run of games will be ‘decisive’ in their quest to secure Champions League football for next season, and has even gone so far as to claim that they can finish above the Citizens in the Premier League standings.
“The coming matches are very decisive,” said Van Gaal. “We are so close to a lot of clubs. We can be second or third. It is not a big difference, I believe.”Manchester United have to be one of the teams who have to play in the Champions League.”
And the former Netherlands coach feels that a ‘big victory’ could be the catalyst for a sustained top-four challenge. He added:
“We have the confidence to reach the goal we set at the beginning of the season.”I have a lot of confidence in my players. From what I see in training sessions, we have progressed. But there is a big difference between training sessions and matches.
“We have to wait for the big victory. Then, maybe, we shall have more spirit and also more confidence to win our games.”