Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United can still climb above Manchester City and finish second in the Barclays Premier League.
Van Gaal won a trophy in his first year at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but his chances of achieving the same feat at United are remote.
United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal on Monday and they sit 10 points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, who have a match in hand.
But with games against Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea to come over the next few weeks, Van Gaal knows United have an opportunity to move away from the rivals lurking just outside the top four.
And despite recent criticism of his team, Van Gaal also believes United can even overcome the five-point gap that separates them from their cross-city rivals.
'The coming matches are very decisive,' the United manager said.
'We are so close to a lot of clubs. We can be second or third. It is not a big difference, I believe.
'Manchester United have to be one of the teams who have to play in the Champions League.'
Van Gaal remarked earlier this season that he owned an 'iron shield' to protect him from any criticism that comes his way.
Despite being fourth in the table and losing just three of his last 23 games, Van Gaal has been criticised for his style of play.
Paul Scholes unleashed his latest volley on Friday, remarking in his column that some of United's play in their defeat to Arsenal was 'prehistoric'.
Source:Dailymail.
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