Louis van Gaal admits that he cannot afford any more slip-ups over the next fortnight as he bids to save Manchester United’s season and his job.
Van Gaal, the United manager, has to win all three of his remaining league games — starting with today’s match away to Norwich City at lunchtime — to stand any chance of reaching his target of Champions League qualification.
Failure to finish in the top four would more than likely cost Van Gaal his job, even if United beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final two weeks today.
United may have a game in hand over City, who host Arsenal tomorrow, but given that the gap between the neighbours is four points, Van Gaal admits that there can be no room for error in the final stretch.
“I cannot afford [to drop a point],” Van Gaal said. “And Manchester United cannot afford it.
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“Every game we have to win. The pressure is high for everybody but also for Norwich because they have to win also otherwise they can say goodbye to the Premier League.”
The omens do not look good for United. They have only won three straight league games on one occasion this season.
They only did that twice last term. And in their ten matches against the bottom-six sides this season, they have claimed only four wins.