Manchester United face German side Wolfsburg in tonight’s Champions League tie. The German outfit are a big threat to United, and Van Gaal recognises that his side must get all 3 points in order to have any chance of progressing through the group stages.

United breezed past Club Brugge in the UCL play-offs last month in order to qualify for the tournament, but their opening game ended in a 2-1 defeat away to PSV Eindhoven – a disastrous night on the whole.

“I think in the Champions League, you need to win all your home matches otherwise it shall be very difficult,” said Van Gaal.

“It is important we shall win.”

“That is realistic, because I did it everywhere,” Van Gaal said.

“Reaching the final is also an aim and winning the final is a little bit of luck.”

United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who won the Champions League with Bayern Munich, also believes his new side are in with a shot.

“Yes. I think (we can),” the Germany midfielder said.

“But of course first of all we have to do our work. As the manager said, we have to win our games at home.”

[Quotes via Sky Sports]

United will be without Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo for the game – all of whom missed yesterday’s training session.

Here’s how we think United will line-up:

De Gea

Darmian – Smalling – Jones – Blind

Schneiderlin – Schweinsteiger

Mata – Rooney – Memphis

Martial