Video: Former Manchester United star concerned about club’s ability to attract top players

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Former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham has insisted that the club’s Champions League exit could be disastrous for their plans for the January transfer window.

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Speaking to Sky Sports, Higginbotham reacted to United’s inability to make it past the group stages of Europe’s premier competition after losing to Wolfsburg 3-2 on Tuesday night.

In a group consisting of the Bundesliga outfit, PSV and CSKA Moscow, many had tipped the Premier League giants to make it through to the knockout stages of the tournament with ease.

However, Louis van Gaal’s side struggled in general after failing to defeat PSV home or away in games that they arguably should have won, and in turn they have paid a heavy price for that failure as they have been relegated down to the Europa League instead.

As a result, it remains to be seen how successful they are in the transfer window next month, as it could be a difficult selling point to attract the biggest names with no Champions League football to offer until next season at the earliest.

Nevertheless, as suggested by The Telegraph, there is also an uncertainty surrounding the future of Van Gaal, and so the club’s hierarchy may even halt investment in the squad until the summer when they will likely make their decision as to whether or not to continue with the Dutch tactician.

With the likes of Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial struggling overall in their first season in England, Van Gaal’s side hasn’t been able to score consistently enough which has heaped significant pressure on the former Ajax boss.

While Europe will now likely be less of a priority, he will be under the spotlight domestically as United sit just three points behind current league leaders Leicester City as a Premier League title is now expected to become the main focus this season.

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