Van Gaal: We Are Happy To Play In The Europa League

Louis van Gaal has stated his team is more than happy to play in the UEFA Europa League.


The Red's boss believes Manchester United and Liverpool have no automatic right to play in the Champions League every season while also claiming their dominance was 'in another time.'

The two old rivals square up at Anfield at the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night, with Van Gaal chasing his fifth consecutive win over the Merseyside club.

But when asked if the fact this tie is taking place in the Europa League despite the two clubs having eight European Cup titles between them proved their diminishing influence, Van Gaal suggested both teams had entered a new era

The United boss said: 'Other teams are playing in the Champions League. You are talking about Manchester United and Liverpool, we are happy to play in the Europa League.
'But Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are still playing in the Champions League. So six clubs are in Europe (also including Tottenham in the Europa League) and you have to be proud of that.
'But in football it is normal. It is not normal that one team dominates for 20 years in a row as the champion.'

When it was pointed out that United did dominate English football for the best part of two decades under Sir Alex Ferguson, Van Gaal added: 'It was another time, you live in the past. You have to live in the present I think.


He added: ‘When you play in the Europa League it is more likely to play against other league clubs, that is why the Europa League exists. Now we play against the same team we normally do in the league. It is a signal that the Premier League is strong.
‘You have noticed that against FC Midtjylland there were 58,000, so the fans of Manchester United are appreciating (the Europa League). I think against Liverpool there will be 75,000 (at Old Trafford). Liverpool also is sold out. It is very important for both teams.
‘Liverpool against Manchester United is always a big game. Traditional. It is a big game for both sides.’

United started the season in the Champions League but failed to advance from a group that contained Wolfsburg, PSV Eindhoven and CSKA Moscow.