LVG: ‘Rat race’ harms English clubs in Europe

The physical and competitive “rat race” that is the Premier League will hurt English clubs’ chances of progressing in the Champions League, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said.

United welcome German side Wolfsburg in Europe’s top competition tomorrow night having lost their opening encounter 2-1 to PSV Eindhoven, with Arsenal and Manchester City also losing their opening games to Dinamo Zagreb and Juventus, respectively.

Van Gaal, who saw his team knock cross town rivals City off the top of the Premier League table at the weekend, said English clubs have the quality to progress in Europe, but face a serious disadvantage compared with clubs from other countries.