Louis van Gaal believes his Manchester United side are not capable of winning the Champions League this season ahead of tomorrow’s must-win tie against Wolfsburg.
A win for the Red Devils in Germany will see them finish top of Group B but a defeat or draw would mean the Reds drop into the Europa League should PSV Eindhoven beat CSKA Moscow.
United were held to a goalless draw by West Ham on Saturday – their sixth 0-0 draw in all competitions this campaign – and afterwards Van Gaal said he cannot see his team lifting their fourth European Cup in May.
“I don’t think that we are able to win the Champions League now. Maybe next year when we strengthen our selection again,” explained the Dutchman.
“But now we have to come as much as possible and maybe we can beat everyone, that I am sure. And we have proven that already also in the Premier League.
“But normally we are not good enough to win the Champions League. You can win, and when we are there we shall try to do everything but you also have to be realistic.”
Despite creating 20 chances during Saturday’s stalemate with the Hammers the Reds only managed to muster one shot on target.
Chants of “attack, attack, attack” were heard throughout the game from the Old Trafford faithful as well as booing from some supporters at full-time.
The result was United’s fourth goalless draw in their last six home games and Van Gaal insists his side need to be more clinical in front of goal.
“We have created chances. We need to score. We must score.
“But we didn’t score and that’s our problem. We can be pleased with our second half performance.
“The first quarter of the match we were very dominant and created chances, but you have to finish them because that is football – you have to score goals, otherwise you can’t win. You need composure and luck.
“We are showing good organisation and keeping clean sheets but we need to score. I know that. The fans the know that. The players know that.
“When you don’t score from a metre out, you can say it’s unlucky, but you have to score those kind of chances.”
Image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks.
