Playing against a side fighting relegation is always tough, but Manchester United have to look for nothing less than a win against Norwich City, manager Louis van Gaal insists.
The Red Devils, who were forced to drop points for the first time in their last three Premier League matches last weekend against Leicester City, will be looking to return to winning ways against Norwich City on Saturday as they hope to continue with their fight to secure a Champions League spot at the end of the season.
The Canaries at this stage of the season have their own problems to solve with relegation looming large over the side. Norwich are currently placed 19th in the league table, just one place above rock bottom Aston Villa.
The Dutch manager, whose side had to taste defeat against the same opponents at home earlier in the season, is well aware of the kind of threat that could be posed by Alex Neil's team, though he insists that there will be no excuse for his men not winning the match at Carrow Road.
"It is always difficult to fight against a team who fights to maintain their place in the Premier League – that is always very difficult", Van Gaal said at his pre-match press conference.
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"That is no excuse, we have to cope with that.
"They won at home, in Old Trafford, so we have to take revenge.
"It shall be a very tough game, but in spite of that we have to win."
As far as his team's chances of qualifying for Europe next season are concerned, the manager insisted that in spite of Manchester City's loss to Real Madrid last night the situation will not change for his team, who still have to keep fighting.
"The situation has not changed because of them going out last night. It is the same I think."
