Louis van Gaal believes if Manchester United can start next season better than they started the current campaign then they will be in the mix for the Premier League title, while he has bemoaned their failure to win it this term.
Manchester United were slow out of the blocks this season and picked up just 13 points in their first ten games, something which put them well behind Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, who have won the league.
For Van Gaal, a slow start is the main reason the Red Devils did not put in a significant title challenge during the business end of the season; the Dutchman's side are set to finish fourth.
And he hopes that can be rectified next term.
"We have fulfilled our goals set [this season], I think. It was hard because we had a very bad start, so when we improve our start we shall come further and maybe it is close enough to be the champion or we have to battle for it", he was quoted as saying by his club's site.
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"I have received the time of three years to achieve that [the title], but of course I want to achieve it as soon as possible."
Van Gaal also stated his belief that but for his side's slow start they could have been champions in his debut campaign at Old Trafford.
"We could have won it also this year, I believe.
"We had a very bad start and because of that, we were behind Manchester City and Chelsea", the former Bayern Munich coach added.
Manchester United finish their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a trip to Steve Bruce's Hull City, who are still fighting for their top flight lives.
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