Gordon McQueen has warned Louis van Gaal not to be distracted by the Europa League clash with Liverpool because the upcoming Manchester derby will define his Manchester United career.
United travel across the city to face Manchester City at the Etihad in a proverbial six-pointer on 20 March – three days after the Europa League return leg with Liverpool.
And McQueen believes the club's priority should be a top-four finish because United are not good enough to claim the automatic Champions League berth now open to the winners of the Europa League.
“Van Gaal told us at the start of the season to judge him on their league position. He was targeting better than last season’s fourth place," the Scot told Goal.
“If they lose to City then they can forget the top four.
“It is the biggest game of his time at United. His United career will be defined by it.
“United cannot afford to miss out on the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
“There will be a lot of talk and hype over the Liverpool game, but we cannot lose track of what is the real priority.
“The odds are against them winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League that way. Their best chance is to finish in the top four.”
McQueen, who made over 200 appearances for United in a seven-year spell, argues that the Manchester derby could be Van Gaal’s last chance to salvage his reputation with the fans.
“It is mind-blowing to think they are even in with a chance of top-four after the level of performances they’ve put in this season," he added.
“With Leicester, Tottenham and even West Ham in the mix, United could be fighting it out with City for fourth spot.
"Many United fans have already made up their mind about Van Gaal, but he still has a chance to improve his legacy.”
While believing United’s first ever encounter with Liverpool in European competition is a sideshow, McQueen concedes that United will be desperate to win it.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the European Cup or a hiccup, when these two play each other there is always something at stake," he explained.
“This is one fixture the fans always looked forward to, it’s just sad that it happens to be in a competition that it is probably on a par with the Capital One Cup.
“Van Gaal has been playing up the importance of the Europa League, but if it is that great why were their thousands of empty seats for the Midjtylland game when the tie was in the balance?”
(Via: Goal.com)
