Louis Van Gaal urges players to prove themselves in crunch Champions League tie against Wolfsburg

United need a win against Wolfsburg to qualify for the knockout stages of the UCL

Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal has urged his team to prove they are worthy of a place in the knock-out stages of the tournament by defeating VFL Wolfsburg in the final group stage match tonight at the Volkswagen Arena.

United currently lie second in Group B behind Wolfsburg, while PSV Eindhoven are just 1 point behind them in third who welcome CSKA Moscow in the Netherlands. If the Red Devils manage a win in their tie at the Volkswagen Arena, the result of the match in Eindhoven will be rendered irrelevant. However, if United fail to win their match then they will have to depend on the result of the other Group B match.

“It is very important for the club to continue in the Champions League,” said Van Gaal.

“We can't rely on the result of the other game.”

“You have to prove yourselves, as a club, as a team and as players.”

The 20-times English champions have played five 0-0 draws in their last nine matches in all competitions and the Old Trafford faithful, who are not accustomed to such sluggish performances have shown their frustration on a number of times by jeering the team.

However, Van Gaal believes that the goals will come for the team who managed just a single shot on target in their last match against West Ham United.

”When you are creating chances you shall finish those kind of chances,” said the 64-year-old Dutchman.

“That's why we have that belief. It's a matter of time and I hope we can prove it against Wolfsburg.”

“I have the experience as a manager that the goals shall come.”

LVG named a 19-man squad which travelled to Wolfsburg on Sunday night with Wayne Rooney, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia all missing out on the trip due to injuries.

Wolfsburg coach fires warning to United

On the other hand, Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking has fired warning to the travelling team that the hosts will not be content with just a single point, which is enough to see them through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

“We want to win, and I think my players want to win too. We pay attention to a lot of things, but Manchester United had better pay attention to us,” said Hecking.

“I don't feel any pressure, I am just really looking forward to this game and I know my team will do all they can to make history.”

“We've not considered progressing with a draw.”