LOUIS VAN GAAL has admitted that defeat for Manchester United in Sunday’s derby against Manchester City will spell the end of their hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four.
United head to the Etihad Stadium looking to eat into the four-point gap which separates them from fourth-placed City and the Red Devils boss accepts that a ninth league loss will end their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
“I think so, yes,” Van Gaal told reporters when asked if the fixture was a ‘do or die’ affair.
“The gap is four points already. And there is also West Ham United, because they are ahead also.
“So it is not just City, it is also West Ham United. Seven points is too much, I think.”
Manchester United go into the clash with their local rivals smarting from their Europa League exit at the hands of Liverpool on Thursday.
The 1-1 second-leg draw at Old Trafford rounded out a 3-1 aggregate loss to the Merseysiders and Van Gaal concedes that his side has underachieved in their struggle to improve upon last season’s fourth-place finish.
“We actually wanted for third place, because last year we were fourth and you always want to be better,” he added. “But so far we have underachieved. There are factors behind that though.”
United currently sit sixth, with a number of players due to make returns from injury soon.
Van Gaal, however, believes the short turnaround following Thursday’s European clash will add a further complication on Sunday.
“My players will start their recovery [after the Liverpool game] but I don’t know how they will be,” he said.
“Now we have to do the same against Manchester City as we did against Arsenal on short rest.”
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have also underperformed of late but still claim an interest in the Premier League title race.
The 2013-14 champions currently sit 12 points behind surprise leaders Leicester City with one game in hand.
United have lost their last two visits to the Etihad, with Robin van Persie’s injury-time strike securing a 3-2 victory in their last triumph in December 2012.
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