Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admits that not finishing in the top four of the Premier League this season would be a "big disappointment" for the Red Devils.
The Old Trafford club set Van Gaal a target of finishing third in the league this term, something which would secure a return to the Champions League for the Red Devils, who have missed out on this season's edition due to a seventh place finish last term.
Manchester United are fourth at present, but lacklustre performances and their rivals closing in has led to talk that they may miss out on a Champions League spot.
Van Gaal does not want to discuss that eventuality at present, but does admit that were it to happen it would be a source of big disappointment for the club.
"Big disappointment, of course, a big disappointment [if we don’t finish in the top four]", he told a press conference.
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"When you start the season with the objective of finishing in the first four of the league it is your objective and you are occupied with doing that.
"But we are still there, I don't know why are we talking about it when it is not like that, because we are still there. What is the problem?" he added.
Van Gaal admits that if he was offered a spot in the top four on 1st May at the start of the campaign he would have taken it. And he claims to be reasonably pleased so far, with the club still also in the FA Cup.
"It is our objective to reach the top four, we have talked about that in the start of the job here in Manchester United. It is also a process of three years and when you have asked me at the start of the season that I am at 1 May and still in first four then I should sign for it.
"We are still in the FA Cup so I am pleased with the results, but not with a lot of the performances of my team."
The Dutchman's side are next in action tomorrow at home to Sunderland.
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