Reds officials set top-three demand

MANCHESTER United’s executives have told Louis van Gaal he needs to finish in the Premier League top three this season.

United executive vice–chairman Ed Woodward said that was the target to meet the club’s budget.

Woodward claimed the club is “at the start of something special” under Van Gaal, despite admitting income will fall by up to £48million as the price for missing out on Europe.

United has announced record revenues of £433.2million for last season. United paid out just over £5 million in compensation to former manager David Moyes and some members of his coaching team.

Woodward said in a conference call with club investors: “Our budgets assume a third–placed finish, as is ordinarily the case.”