Louis Van Gaal believes he doesn’t need Champions League football next season to attract the best players in the world. The club are currently 5th in the table chasing Manchester City for that final top 4 spot.
The Red Devils have had a below par season so far and several fans want a change in manager for next season. If United do fail to finish in the top four then players who want to play in the Champions League might think twice about a move to the club.
But Van Gaal is confident they don’t need Europe to attract the best players in the world. “Playing in the Champions League is very important for players,” he told reporters. “But I also think that Manchester United are big enough to attract top players.”
The manager admitted that it helps negotiations with players when a club have secured a place in the champions league for next season saying, “Qualifying for the Champions League would help me when I am speaking to players in the summer. It always helps.”
But the Dutchman believes that United are a big enough name that their status alone will be enough to attract top talent.”But I want to stress that Manchester United are such a big club, and our salaries are so good here, that players will come here even if we don’t qualify for the Champions League.”
United are behind City and Arsenal in the race for the Champions League. Arsenal drew their game against West Ham yesterday but City have piled on the pressure on the chasing pack with their win over West Brom.
“If Manchester City win all their games then we cannot close the gap — and the same is true with Arsenal, Those teams have to lose before we can catch them, but it is definitely possible. But first we have to beat Tottenham and that is difficult. But can we beat them? Yes, we are able to do that because we have beaten the other top team in this league.”
If United falter at Tottenham then they will face an uphill task in trying to secure a Champions League spot. Spurs, on the other hand, will still be given hope of winning the league title if they can come up with a positive result.
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