‘United title win would be a miracle’

Louis van Gaal has conceded it would take a miracle for Manchester United to win the Premier League this season. 

After finishing seventh last year, United opened their campaign optimistic that Dutch master-tactician van Gaal could oversee a return to the upper echelons of the Premier League table. 

However that optimism was punctured by a shock 2-1 loss against Swansea City at Old Trafford last Saturday - their first home league loss to the Welsh club. 

It was also their first opening-day loss at home since 1972 and was enough to convince van Gaal that a successful title challenge would be unlikely. 

‘Would it be a miracle to win the league this season? I think so but it is also possible, always possible but it would be very difficult,’ van Gaal said. 

‘It is possible to win a title in the first year but it is very difficult. 

‘I think [the Manchester United owners] understand [the size of the task] or I would not have accepted the job. 

‘I have discussed everything, long discussions where I have shown myself as I am always open.