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Louis van Gaal: This is how Manchester United will qualify for the Champions League
LOUIS VAN GAAL has revealed how he plans to qualify for the Champions League - by winning the Europa League.
Van Gaal wants to take the Europa League entirely seriously
The Dutch manager will line his injury-stricken side up against FC Midtjylland on Thursday (6pm) in the last 32 of Europe's second competition.
United could still qualify for the Champions League by achieving a top four finish in the Premier League.
But six points adrift in fifth place, Van Gaal sees the Europa League, the winner of which qualifies for the Champions League, as a perfect opportunity.
Sir Alex Ferguson guided his side to a 3-2 aggregate win over Ajax in the last 32 despite losing 2-1 at Old Trafford in the second leg.
But Ferguson's side were knocked out by Athletic Bilbao after failing to overturn a 3-2 home defeat in the first leg.
And United have in fact never even made it past the quarter-final of Europe's secondary club competition.