Van Gaal: We Can Handle Top-four Pressure

Manchester United will be able to deal with the pressure as the race for Champions League qualification tightens up, says manager Louis van Gaal.

Defeat by Swansea on Saturday saw the Reds slip into fourth place, with Southampton one point and one place behind ahead of their clash with Liverpool 24 hours later.

The Merseysiders and Tottenham also harbour hopes of finishing in the top four, and both play United in the closing stretch of the season.

Sunderland and Newcastle are United's next opponents in the league, before a break in the programme for the FA Cup quarter-final at home to Arsenal, followed by the visit of Spurs to Old Trafford.

When asked whether United could handle the pressure over the next few weeks, van Gaal responded positively.

"I think every game that Manchester United plays, you have to manage that, because this is a top club," he said. "The players and the manager have to manage that. It's normal."