Louis van Gaal has admitted he does not know how good Manchester United will be in the Champions League. The competition begins in earnest against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday but the manager, who won the Champions League in 1995 with Ajax and reached the 2010 final when in charge of Bayern Munich, said: “We have to show if we are able to play at this level and that I don’t know. I have to wait and see.
“I think the fans shall see a Manchester United who fight for their chances and we have to show on the pitch if we are able to win matches on the highest level.”
Asked if a draw against Philip Cocu’s Dutch champions would be a welcome result Van Gaal said: “A draw away is always a good result but I want to win and the first match is very important to win. But it is also for PSV, so you have to wait and see.”
Van Gaal has not enjoyed too much success when managing teams at PSV’s Philips Stadion during his career. “For me it is a difficult place. I didn’t win so much here – difficult ground. When I was Barcelona manager I didn’t win here. Neither with Ajax I didn’t win so much. I won here with AZ Alkmaar.”
Wayne Rooney is again ruled out with a hamstring injury so Marouane Fellaini may retain his place as the centre-forward. Anthony Martial scored a memorable goal as a second-half debutant against Liverpool in Saturday’s 3-1 victory but Van Gaal said he has had little time to assess whether the 19-year-old should start his first game for the club.
“His impression is good. It’s the same as for Memphis [Depay] you have to give him time. You cannot change the market price,” the manager said.
While that last comment was in reference to Martial’s £36m fee, Van Gaal stated David de Gea should retain his place as he does not like rotating his goalkeeper between differing competitions. “I am not a supporter of that. I always play with my best team.”
Van Gaal came close to managing PSV a few seasons ago. “It’s always dependable on the moment,” he said. “Now the moment has passed and I shall not work with PSV. I shall retire after my job with Manchester.”
