Is Europa League best for Man United?

Following Manchester United UEFA Champions League exit in midweek, after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg, the pressure is mounting on Louis Van Gaal on winning the Europa title.

Van Gaal’s side automatically entered into the Europa League, a competition which the Dutchman feels is a must win.

With his Man United side already heavily criticized for not scoring enough goals and playing entertaining soccer this season, the European woes have compounded the woes of van Gaal.

After spending nearly $400 million on new players over the last 18 months, the Dutchman is still struggling to build a formidable team that can bang in goals and defend properly. Though United are just three points off the top in the Premier League table, they have yet to get going this season and have only scored 20 times in 15 games.

Asked whether winning just the Europa League would be enough to keep his job, Van Gaal said: “Just? You think it’s just? I’m not thinking like that.

“I have already won the Europa League with Ajax in my first season, and I was very proud of that. For me, the Europa League is a big competition.

“We are now in the Europa League so now we have to win it. That is not easy. I can say that in advance but nobody hears me. They don’t want to hear me because a club like United has to win.”

The United boss has been under increased scrutiny for his style of play this season with speculation he could be sacked.

However, Van Gaal believes he has done all that was asked of him and the expectations at Old Trafford are too high.

“You can make your own opinion, but I had a task when I came to improve and win a title when it is possible,” added the 64-year-old.

“The problem is that we have to meet the expectations and the expectations at a club like Manchester United are very high, and that’s our problem.”

Even allowing for the injuries, youth and inexperience which were all factors in their 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg, United can have no complaints about a result which, ultimately, cast a harsh and unforgiving light on the sheer mind-numbing ordinariness of the current side.

Former Red Devils defender, Rio Ferdinand described the club’s drop into the Europa League as “embarrassing”, while other former United players Michael Owen and Paul Scholes were also critical of Van Gaal.

But Louis van Gaal says he has “no doubts” about his position and that his side must now try to win the Europa League.

Anthony Nlebem