Van Gaal feeling Euro pressure

LOUIS van Gaal faces the most important test of his Manchester United career tonight when Club Brugge come to Old Trafford for a crunch Champions League play–off.

Ordinarily the visit of the runners–up in the Belgian league wouldn’t cause much of a stir, but Van Gaal is under no illusion about the price of failure in the two–leg fixture, which concludes next Wednesday in Bruges.

Van Gaal has worked hard to turn United into a top–four team after David Moyes, but defeat would send the three–times European champions into the Europa League - something the club doesn’t want.

“The players want to participate in the Champions League and the board wants to participate, but especially the fans want to participate - so the pressure is high.”

History suggests United should have an easy ride. The aggregate score of their last three home games against Belgian opponents is 18–1.

Van Gaal could have been drawn against Lazio or Monaco in the play–off, but is still wary of the Belgian threat: “I think it a difficult draw,” he said. “Brugge can defend well and they can attack also, so it shall be a difficult match and that is why the pressure is high.”