Van Gaal Could Leave If United Fail To Make Top Four- De Boer

The Dutchman has come under intense pressure in recent weeks and his former player says Van Gaal could depart the club of his own accord if they don’t reach the Champions League
Louis van Gaal could leave Manchester United if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to Ronald De Boer.

The Dutchman has come under intense pressure in recent weeks, with United currently five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal as they prepare to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

De Boer, a close friend of Van Gaal, says that the 64-year-old is well aware of United’s inherent need to qualify for the Champions League, and insists that the manager will depart the club of his own accord should they finish outside of the qualification places.

“Louis realises more than anyone that a club with the status of Manchester United must at least qualify for the Champions League. If he fails to do that then he will know it is the end of the story,” De Boer is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror .

“Louis, in my eyes, is still a top-class coach and he is going to survive in Manchester. But all the criticism about the way United play is fully deserved.

“The organisation of the team is 100 times better than last season and tactically things are in a better shape. But there is still a big lack of entertainment, especially up front.”
United finished fourth last season to return to Europe’s elite club competition after a season away, and Van Gaal claims that the aim remains to better that finish, urging his side to aim for third-place, despite sitting seven points behind Manchester City.

“The aim here is still the same – to qualify for the Champions League and to finish one step higher than last year. So third place,” he added. “Leicester have opened a big gap from us, but it is still possible.

“We are in a very good mood. Winning puts you in a good mood. It is very important to be there in April, five points or less from the top.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. Phil Jones is coming back, Marco Rojo is coming back, and Antonio Valencia is coming back. We have managed to survive and we are only five points behind the top four. That isn’t bad.”