Fans must look to the future

LOUIS van Gaal believes Manchester United and Liverpool fans should embrace their Europa League clash and that fans who reflect on past glories are “living in the past”.

United and Liverpool have won 20 and 18 league titles respectively, plus other domestic competitions and a combined eight European Cups.

But this year they meet in the last 16 of the Europa League. European football’s second–tier competition looks like their best chance of Champions League qualification, but United boss Van Gaal believes their previous success came in a bygone era.

“In football, it’s normal,” the Reds manager said. “It's not normal that one team is dominating for 20 years.”

When put to Van Gaal that Liverpool and United had dominated for decades, he responded: “It was another time. You live in the past and you have to live in the present.”

United are sixth in the league, three points off the top four. Liverpool are a place and three points worse off still with a match in hand.

Europa League success would guarantee Champions League qualification regardless of league performance.

“Liverpool v Manchester United is always a big game,” Van Gaal said ahead of tonight’s first leg at Anfield. “It’s historic and, especially because both teams fight for a Champions League position, it’s a big game for both sides.”