Van Gaal Ready For Club Brugge Test

Louis van Gaal is relishing the “biggest game” of his reign as Manchester United manager and insists his players are equally determined to finish off Club Brugge during Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg in Belgium.

The Reds hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg at Old Trafford thanks to a brace of goals from Memphis Depay and Marouane Fellaini’s late header. Brugge secured a crucial away goal via a deflection off Michael Carrick, although that will only count if the hosts can secure a 2-0 victory.

“I don’t think my players will take it easy,” the manager explained during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “We have had the same preparation and I don’t think they shall start differently to last week's match. Fellaini’s goal was very important because now we can start this game with a lot more confidence. But, as you know, maybe we had to finish it much earlier in that game.”

Asked if this is the most important game of his United career, the boss continued: “Yes, because it was our aim for the last year to participate in the Champions League and still we are not participating. It is a preliminary round so it’s very important. You have to play the game.

"At the end you must have scored one more goal than the opponent. They have also beaten Greek opponents 3-0 [Olympiacos] and they are capable of doing that with the support of their fans. We have seen their fans in Manchester and I think they shall support them a lot on Wednesday.”

Should United progress from this play-off tie with Club Brugge, the Reds will learn who they will be pitted against in Thursday’s draw for the group stage – although van Gaal is not thinking about that yet.

“We have to wait and see for the draw,” the manager told reporters. “It depends on the quality of our opponents' quality but first we must beat Brugge and that is difficult enough, so let's wait and see if we are continuing in the Champions League because that is the most important thing.”