Louis van Gaal: Why I still doubt Manchester United's top four push
MANCHESTER UNITED manager Louis van Gaal does not believe Manchester City's Champions League exit will not make a difference in the battle to finish in the top four.
Louis van Gaal says Man City's Champions League exit will not impact Man United's top four push
City's European dream ended last night in the second leg of their semi-final against Real Madrid, going down 1-0 at the Bernabeu with little attacking threat.
And while that might have an impact on their morale, it also leaves City with clear objectives between now and the end of the campaign.
A priority will be to maintain the gap that keeps them in the Premier League's Champions League spots and ahead of their local rivals.
City sit four points ahead of United going into the weekend, with Van Gaal's side having a game in hand over City.
"The situation has not been changed by the defeat of Manchester City. It is the same situation," said Van Gaal.
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And asked if he expected Manuel Pellegrini's side to experience any sort of hangover, Van Gaal said: "It's dependable on the team and the way you recover in your head also.
"We have done that several times after a big defeat. That's why I said I'm proud of my players at the (end-of-season) gala, they have the spirit to show that after a big defeat."