My Target For Manchester United Is Making Top Four – Van Gaal

Louis van Gaa l has set Manchester United an
initial target of a top-four finish in this season’s
Premier League.

United’s new manager is yet to deliver a
competitive victory and suffered the indignity of
a 4-0 defeat at League One MK Dons in
Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie.
Neither that setback, nor a return of just one
Premier League point from two games, has
dented the Dutchman’s confidence and he
remains convinced he can bring a new era of
domestic and European success to Old Trafford.
Van Gaal is even refusing to rule out a title
challenge this season, but ahead of Saturday’s
trip to Burnley he has again stressed it will take
time to rebuild United’s squad and successfully
implement his methods.
He said:
“Before September 1, I have given every
player a reasonable chance – it would not
have been good to come as a new manager
and say ‘I want 11 new players’.
The process needs time and we are building
up a new team. “I hope we shall succeed
and that we are this year in the top four,
because the Champions League suits a club
like Manchester United.
“Then maybe the next step is to be
champions and the next step after that is to
be winner of the Champions League, but
that needs time. A lot of clubs fight for
many, many years and never succeed.
“We can still be the champions of England in
my first year. Maybe you will laugh but in
my former clubs I have started like this so
for me it is not big news.”
Van Gaal reminded the press of the positive
reports which accompanied United’s
successful pre-season tour of the United
States, where Roma, Real Madrid and
Liverpool were all defeated.
He said:
“I was a king in the United States, and now
I am not a king any more? I am the same
Louis van Gaal with the same record and
the same philosophy, and I am very
confident I shall succeed here.”