Van Gaal: Wolfsburg clash my biggest at United

The Red Devils were held to another 0-0 draw on Saturday, this time by a West Ham side who had not kept a clean sheet for nearly three months, and the club’s goalscoring problems are now becoming a serious issue.

Louis van Gaal has done a lot of good things since becoming Manchester United manager.

Paddy McNair was replaced at half-time against the Hammers with an ankle knock but is in contention to play with Manchester United facing potential elimination if they fail to beat the German side.

It is clearly a tough period for Louis van Gaal’s side but Mata, writing to the fans on his blog, has rallied the troops.

“That is a question mark”. When you are creating chances you shall finish those kind of chances.

Five of United’s past nine matches in all competitions have ended goalless – a statistic that does not bode well for them ahead of their Champions League clash at Wolfsburg tomorrow.

“As a manager you can not be pleased when it is like this”. The first two basic aspects of football we have done. When you lose you are so close, so it is so disappointing, but now, we are in a qualification group – that is in my opinion different.

“Yes, we can win on Tuesday”, Van Gaal said.

“The players are not scared in front of goal, no. It is all about the killer instinct”.

“The goals are coming. That is my strong belief”.

“But I’m convinced he will continue to do well and will score at the right moment again”.

“I know that we must score goals”.

“It is very important for the club to continue in Europe and the players want to show their qualities on the highest podium”.

“We’re doing an unbelievable job defensively but we have to be determined to score”.

In order to win United will need to score, something they’ve had trouble doing this season. “That’s why it’s important (we qualify)”.

‘As you know, this Tuesday we have a really important game.

Meanwhile, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic claimed United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger should have been sent off for what he said was an elbow to defender Winston Reid in an off-the-ball incident just before half time.

Van Gaal, 64, is due to retire at the end of next season but United are suggested to be open to extending his stay at Old Trafford.

“There was a fantastic team spirit and we were dominant”.

“We don’t want to be eliminated”, Van Gaal added. But he can point to success in PSV’s two previous home matches in Group B over Manchester United and VfL Wolfsburg.