Manchester United must qualify for Champions League, David Moyes warns Louis van Gaal

The club should be winning Europe's elite competition, not struggling to qualify for it, says former Old Trafford boss

Simon Rice
Monday 15 February 2016 11:03 GMT
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Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

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Louis van Gaal has been warned that Manchester United must qualify for the Champions League, by his predecessor David Moyes.

Manchester United lost 2-1 to Sunderland at the weekend, a result that meant they failed to close the gap to the top four and remain six points from the Champions League qualification places with 12 games to go.

Moyes was sacked in 2013/14 when it became apparent that the club were going to fall short of finishing in the top four and his warning that it is the minimum expected at Old Trafford will intensify speculation that Van Gaal could go the same way he did.

"I knew Manchester United need to qualify for the Champions League," Moyes said on Sky Sports show Goals on Sunday.

"I think Manchester United need to be there. They are a club of status and want to be at that level, if not more. They want to be winning it if they can, nevermind qualifying for it. That's what happens at Manchester United. It's that level."

Moyes went on to discuss the speculation surrounding Van Gaal's future, a situation he experienced himself during his 10 months at the helm of the club.

"There's so much media attention on Louis van Gaal just now," Moyes said. "When I lost my job, he was lauded by everybody in football - by you people, the media and everybody else. Now many of you are the ones saying he should lose his job.

"If you go to Manchester United, that's what you get. You get an awful lot of media attention, but I still believe I was the right person to take the job."

Jose Mourinho is being strongly tipped to replace Van Gaal, with reports today suggesting the former Chelsea manager could be in place as early as this month.

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