Van Gaal: Europa League now best route to Champions League for Manchester United

Updated 13/02/2016 at 21:17 GMT

Louis van Gaal denied that a damaging defeat to Sunderland would put him under more pressure, while at the same time admitting that Manchester United’s best hope of reaching the Champions League is now to win the Europa League this season.

Manchester United's Dutch manager Louis van Gaal arives on the pitch

Image credit: AFP

United slumped to a defeat at the Stadium of Light after a poor performance lacking in creativity and energy, with a late own goal from David De Gea giving Sunderland a valuable 2-1 win at home.

Van Gaal has been forced to contend with renewed speculation that United are lining up Jose Mourinho to replace him at the end of the season.

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However, the Dutchman says he is not under more scrutiny having lost to Sunderland, and will persist with his methods as he seeks to turn the club’s poor form around.

"No [I am not under more pressure],” Van Gaal told BT Sport. “I have to do my work and I do my work to my utmost best and I cannot do more. I shall prepare my players against Midtjylland at 100% – I do that always.”

The Europa League last-32, first leg against the Danish club comes on Thursday, with Van Gaal admitting that the competition could be United’s best route back into the Champions League next season.

The winners of the Europa League are entered into the more lucrative competition and with United sitting six points off the top four having played a game more than fourth-placed Manchester City, their chances of qualifying via the league are growing ever longer.

“I think after this match that is the best route but it is not easy because a lot of good teams are in this event,” he said of the Europa League.

"It will be very difficult [via the Premier League] now because we give five points away so it's too much at this time.”

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