Louis van Gaal believes Premier League leaders Chelsea will be content to avoid defeat against his in-form Manchester United side when they meet on Saturday.
United have won their last six league games but go to Stamford Bridge without four injured players Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Phil Jones and have Jonny Evans suspended.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season, and hold an eight-point lead and a game in hand over third-placed United, Van Gaal believes it is asking too much for his team to win the title and feels his former Barcelona assistant Jose Mourinho would be happy to extend that run by settling for a point on Saturday.
“I think Chelsea will be satisfied with a draw, but of course they want to beat us and we want to beat them,” he told the press.
Van gaal has also refused to completely rule out the possibility of Manchester United ending the season as Premier League Champions.
“Ita s still possible, Ia ve said that before,” Van Gaal said. “It is not logical but it is possible. Ita s more when and if, and I dona t believe in when and if. I believe in facts. The fact is that we are behind Chelsea.”
“But, alright, we have to play against them and so do Arsenal so we can lay pressure on Chelseaa s shoulders. You never know, youa ve seen it in previous Premier League seasons. So I cannot say it is not possible, but it is not logical.”
“They play at home but I think that Chelsea will be satisfied with a draw. Of course they will want to beat Manchester United and we want to beat them, the question is how long players can play in the discipline.”
“We live for these titles, we are doing this for that. The only satisfaction you have as a manager is when you win a title. When you are second or third you can play Champions League, but a title is more fixed for you and you have your name on it. Thata s why managers are fixated on titles. When you reach that goal you are happy.”
“To be involved in the game with young people to reach a goal, that is also a goal of mine. That is why Ia m still a manager because I dona t have to work anymore a you can count on that. I like to work with young people and help them in their career.”
The Manchester United manager has also likened his current Assistant Ryan Giggs to Jose Mourinho, claiming Giggs is a very good reader of the game exactly like Mourinho and also revealed he was surprised by the Welshman’s work ethic.
Van Gaal also confirmed that Juan Mata will start on his return to Stamford Bridge.
He added,”Normally I always put players in the lineup if they’ve played for the opponent, so I think Mata shall play,”
