Louis van Gaal plays down cost of Champions League failure

Louis van Gaal does not expect any Manchester United player to agitate for an exit if the club fail to reach the Champions League.

The current crop are looking to avoid the ignominy of missing out on a place at European football’s top table, just as David Moyes’ side did following a miserable 2013/14 campaign.

United head into today’s clash with rudderless Aston Villa four points shy of fourth-placed Manchester City, but even usurping their neighbours may not be enough to secure Champions League football.