Louis van Gaal has warned his Manchester United squad that their bid for Champions League qualification is no sure thing despite a commanding 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
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Premier League results on Saturday mean United now have an eight point buffer on top-four rivals Liverpool whilst it keeps them just one behind Arsenal in second.
“It is not done yet,” said Louis van Gaal according to the Daily Mail.
“We still have to play everyone else in the top four and the table shows they are the best teams.
“Of course we have a big gap and can afford to suffer a defeat but everything is possible.”
And the derby bout with City next week is seen as the major test of United’s resolve and their ambition this season, a match which will determine just how high up the table they are able to go.
“I am looking higher up. The derby is a game for the higher places. Chelsea are likely to be champions but you have to keep on putting pressure.
“Manchester City, is a different game to this one against Villa. City shall not come with such a defensive strategy. We have seen the same with Tottenham and Liverpool. These are the matches where you can see fantastic matches.”
The match with the reigning Premier League champions might also be the match in which Angel Di Maria is recalled to a starting role after a number of weeks as an impact sub with van Gaal remarking: “His turn is coming.”