LVG highlights importance of Man Utd Champions League progression

Goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling helped them come from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 in the reverse fixture. “You have to prove – as a club, as a team, as players – that you can continue”.

Wolfsburg’s former Chelsea player Andre Schurrle believes United still have the fear factor but the German says an early goal in the Volkswagen Arena could shake the goal shy Reds.

After United were held to a goalless draw, their third in six Premier League matches, by West Ham at Old Trafford, van Gaal revealed his frustration at the chants from the stands. “When you are creating chances at the end you shall finish those kind of chances”. We have that belief. “Unfortunately it was not enough for a point, but I am sure that when we play at home we can win against them”.

“I have the experience as a manager that the goals shall come”.

As the only striker in a threadbare squad, the responsibility for scoring will fall on the shoulders of Anthony Martial, who has scored just once in his last 13 matches.

Van Gaal told MUTV after the game: “I think that we played a very good match, it’s only we have to score”.

“You can not expect a player of 20 years old to score in the Premier League every week”. I didn’t expect that.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was excited to return to his homeland as the Manchester United midfielder posted a snap from his flight to Germany on Monday afternoon. “You never know. I think they would, though”.

“The Champions League, you could be out”.

They are at present sitting second in Group B and have so far not secured a place in the last 16. But I know that also Wolfsburg shall not attack too much because with a draw, they continue and we are dependent on PSV.

Van Gaal, facing criticism for his team’s struggles in front of goal, said it was United’s biggest game since he took charge 18 months ago.

“They want to score every minute of the game but it’s not possible”.

“We’ve not considered progressing with a draw”.

The 0-0 home stalemate against PSV a fortnight ago cost them the opportunity to qualify with a match to spare and ensure this trip to Wolfsburg was a dead rubber like in 2008. “We know over two games in the knockout stages, anything can happen and we really want to get there, step up and give our best”. That’s very good. But we need to score.

The Dutchman is absolutely right-you do need to score goals in football.