Under-fire Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists his team have done ‘ rather well ’ this season and that he has great chemistry with his players at Old Trafford despite widespread discontent among supporters over recent results and the team ’ s style of play . United ’ s indifferent league form and FA Cup exit against Arsenal on Monday have led to doubts on whether the current squad are buying into van Gaal ’ s ‘ philosophy ’ . However , the Dutchman has robustly defended his record . Louis van Gaal is targeting second place in the Barclays Premier League with a late push in the run-in . The Manchester United manager believes catching local rivals Manchester City is an achievable target . City are just five points ahead of United in the Premier League table , with Arsenal four behind City . ‘ We lost the first match against Swansea and had a bad start but in spite of the bad start we are a stable club in the top four , ’ said Van Gaal . ‘ When you are so long there after such a bad start , I think we ’ ve done rather well . The coming matches are very decisive . We are so close to a lot of clubs . We can be second or third . It is not a big difference , I believe . 'Manchester United have to be one of the teams who have to play in the Champions League . ' United have only lost twice in the league since early November but have ridden their luck in certain games and are currently fourth , 10 points behind leaders Chelsea , and in grave danger of not qualifying for the Champions League for the second successive season . The financial implications of missing out would be devastating but Van Gaal insists that is not his concern . ‘ I don ’ t think that I ’ m here to think about the financial consequences , that is ( for ) Ed Woodward , ’ he argued . ‘ I ’ m here to manage the professional football department. ’ Manchester United have attracted unwelcome publicity all season . Expensive signings Angel di Maria , Juan Mata and Radamel Falcao have failed to shine . Van Gaal said that United 'have to be one of the teams ' who play in the Champions League next season . City and United face each other before the end of the season , and that could make a big difference . Sergio Aguero and Co have n't been up to their usual standards at the Etihad and that could help United . Last weekend , defender Jonny Evans was banned for six matches for spitting at Newcastle ’ s Papiss Cisse . A bullish Van Gaal declared his relationship with the United squad is first-class . ‘ When I think the chemistry between the players and the manager is not good enough anymore , then I go , he added . ‘ But when I see this chemistry between myself and my players then I don ’ t have any doubts , ’ Manuel Pellegrini will have his eyes on the teams behind him ... as well as Chelsea in front . Ryan Giggs and Van Gaal have n't had the greatest season but are still well in with a chance of a top four spot . Van Gaal rejected the opportunity to discuss how close he came to having Mauricio Pochettino 's job . Pochettino was believed to be on a shortlist with Van Gaal before he was given the Spurs job last summer .
Louis van Gaal wants to finish second in the Barclays challenge League . There is a five point gap between United and Manchester finishing in second . He sees games against Tottenham , Liverpool and Arsenal as opportunities . Van Gaal says United ' have to be ' in next season 's Champions League . Dutchman is confident he will be a success this year and in the future . He wants chance to realise how close he came to joining Tottenham .