Manchester United Can Still Qualify For Champions League - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has expressed optimism that they can still pip Manchester City to fourth place in the Premier League.

United entertain Bournemouth at Old Trafford while City travel to Wales to face Swansea.

A draw for City against Swansea will end United’s quest for next season’s Champions League irrespective of United’s result against Bournemouth.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Van Gaal rues his side’s failure to close out games when they had the chance, a situation which has come back to haunt them in the race to finish in the top four.

“We are dependant on Manchester City, that’s the difference, and that’s also frustrating when we had the chance, two matches before the end, to keep that advantage,” Van Gaal said.

“We were 2-1 ahead at West Ham with 15 minutes to play, then we gave it away, but still it is possible, so we fight to the end.”

Van Gaal played down talk about Swansea resting players ahead of the game against City.

“I have also given also players rest and have won, so that is also possible for Swansea,” Van Gaal added.

“It’s the responsibility of a club and a manager to do what is right for a team and I cannot judge that.

“My task is the same because we have to play Boiurnemouth.”

The ex-Dutch national team coach pointed out that United will have to improve in the attacking third come next season, positing that defensively they are okay.

“I can say what we have to improve still. I don’t think we have to improve much in our defensive organisation because we are doing well. We have to score more in our attacking organisation which is something I have said at the start of this season. We need creative, fast players in attack. It is still what I have said at that time and we have to change that and that is very important.”

He ruled out Adnan Januzaj, Mateo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Bastian Schweinsteiger for the game against Bournemouth.

“Unfortunately Januzaj has been injured in the training session, so he is out for Sunday. We have to wait and see for the final. The rest is like it was. Darmian is still out but can be in. It is dependable on the progress. Schweinsteiger is out and Shaw is out. Ashley Young is coming in, so he is restored of his injury and can train tomorrow with our squad. But it is one training session.”