Manchester United Transfer News: Louis Van Gaal Makes Champions League Admission

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal doesn't believe his current team is capable of winning this season's Champions League without further strengthening, insisting "you have to be realistic."

The Red Devils travel to Wolfsburg on Tuesday sitting second in Group B, currently one point behind the German outfit, but Van Gaal has cast doubt over their European chances, per Joe Bernstein of the Mail on Sunday:

"

I don’t think that we are able to win the Champions League now. Maybe next year when we strengthen our selection again. We have to go as far as possible but normally we are not good enough to win the Champions League. When we are there, we shall try to do everything. But you have to be realistic also.

"

Van Gaal's comments could merely be interpreted as a ruse to take pressure off his players heading to the Volkswagen Arena, but it's hardly the kind of fighting talk fans might prefer to hear.

The main concern for the club at present lies in attack after they surrendered a 0-0 home draw to West Ham United on Saturday, their fifth stalemate in nine games. However, Van Gaal can't wrap his head around that run, adding:

"

I don’t understand it because we were the attacking team and not West Ham. That is not only today but every game is like that because we are always more dominating than our opponents. 

When I meet the fans on the street, they are very happy with Manchester United and me, but you have to score goals. My opinion about scoring goals is not only compulsion but also a lot of luck. I am not so worried, but we have to pass over this period because it is too long that we don’t score.

"

The club made great strides to improve the squad over the summer, bringing in the likes of Anthony Martial, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian.

However, there's still a lack of a superstar finisher among the squad, particularly with club captain Wayne Rooney underperforming. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News has put this down to the owners, the Glazer family:

It's unlikely United will make many major signings in the January transfer window, and any big names who could arrive will most likely be cup-tied if they were to arrive from other clubs in the Champions League.

One might admire Van Gaal's honesty, but a willingness to admit his side won't be competing for Europe's greatest prize assuredly shows weakness to the Red Devils' foes.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Saturday's draw ensures United currently sit three points adrift of league leaders Leicester City, who continue to turn the odds in their favour and can give any club hope of improving their status.

However, United's current concerns are deep-rooted in Van Gaal's philosophy, it seems, and Stuart Mathieson of MEN helped illustrate the lack of entertainment value at Old Trafford of late:

Manchester United's fortunes are improving, however, and the chances of luring superstar talent to the Theatre of Dreams are only likely to improve the closer they get back to the glory days of old.

Until then, though, Van Gaal seems all too aware of how far his side sit from the likes of reigning European champions Barcelona, holding out little hope for a return to Champions League silverware in 2016.