Van Gaal not feeling pressure despite United loss

However, they were beaten 2-1 by the struggling Black Cats to remain fifth in the table, six points adrift of the top four, having played a game more. With United’s league results continuing to be inconsistent, they may have to hang their hats on winning the Europa League in order to qualify for the Champions League next season. “But now we’ll have to try to win it and start again on Thursday in that competition”. “I do my work to my utmost and I can not do more”.

“We tried to press from the first minute to surprise them, and I think we did”, said Hiddink, whose side visit Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

With his impressive show under the bar, David de Gea has been Manchester United’s hero of the season.

Bundesliga: On Friday: Mainz 05 2 (Bussmann 33, Baumgartlinger 79) bt Schalke 04 1 (Belhanda 46).

Old Trafford officials still refuse to comment on claims that former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Mourinho is set to become their new manager for next season, Van Gaal has been forced to claim it’s not true.

Van Gaal conceded that a top-four finish is the “minimum requirement” for a club of United’s stature and vast resources.

With Manchester City hosting Tottenham Hotspur and leaders Leicester City visiting Arsenal on Sunday, defeat was doubly frustrating for Manchester United as they had a chance to close on the top four.

“However, during December I said that I expect more and he was very disappointed I said that, but I think I can say that because my expectation is higher”. In the second half Manchester United finally broke through Chelsea defenses as Jese Lingard scored an incredible goal and United were 1-0 up.

Their fading hopes of securing Champions League football have led to suggestions the club hierarchy has entered talks with Mourinho but Van Gaal said he would not reach out to the man who worked under him at Barcelona. Today it was very disappointing because we needed to win this game because of the big gap between the top four.

“The fans were behind us and it was a great first goal to get us off the mark, but we missed the chance to go 2-0 up through Jermain – which is unlike him – and we paid the price for that with the equaliser”.