Silvestre's Champions League Warning

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes the desire to return to the Champions League will be driving Louis van Gaal's men on when Club Brugge provide the opposition in the play-off.

The Belgian side head to Old Trafford for the first leg on Tuesday night with the prize of a place in the group stages of Europe's premier competition at stake. The fact that the special nights at the Theatre of Dreams were missed so much last term should provide additional motivation for the players.

When asked if United need to be wary ahead of the two-legged tie, Silvestre replied: "It’s certainly not a given. It’s good that you give yourselves a chance over two games and I am sure the team will be ready because, as a player, you just want to play in that competition.

"Forget the fact there will be a lot of pressure from fans and media because, as a player, it is a competition you want to be playing in. You don’t want to be watching it on TV.

"It makes a big difference because the club belongs there. It’s up to the staff and the players to produce the football that is required to qualify."