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Manchester United Manager Louis van Gaal Confident of Champions League Success

By Ahmed Bayram

Jul 21, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Manchester United midfielder Memphis Depay (9) celebrates with forward Wayne Rooney (10) after a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Manchester United midfielder Memphis Depay (9) celebrates with forward Wayne Rooney (10) after a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Louis van Gaal believes his Manchester United side can win the UEFA Champions League this year, thanks to a mixture of both youth and experienced players in the Red Devil’s squad.

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The Dutchman has taken 18 players with him to Belgium to face Club Brugge, and even though promising talents Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard were left behind, Academy graduates Sam Johnstone, Andnan Januzaj and Paddy McNair all made the cut.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s play-off second leg against the Belgium club, Louis van Gaal continued to maintain that his crop of youngsters are capable of emulating Ajax’s success in 1995.

"“We have players like Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger and at that time it was Frank Rijkaard and Danny Blind [at Ajax] who were above the 30-year mark’’, van Gaal was quoted by ManUtd.com as saying. ‘’I believe in the mix. Yes, I believe we can win the Champions League and I believe more in the mix of ages than players only from 27 to 34.”"

The former Bayern Munich boss has given the likes of Adnan Januzaj, James Wilson and Luke Shaw a chance to prove themselves in the first team, while Johnstone has been picked as the No 2 goalkeeper in every game this season, ahead of David De Gea and Anders Lindegaard.

The three-time winners enter the Club Brugge match boosted by a two-goal cushion taken from Old Trafford. It will mark a return home for Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini — who from now on can be counted as another striking option.

Loui van Gaal confirmed that the 27-year-old Belgium international has what it takes to partner Wayne Rooney up front.

"“He can play in a 9 position and in a 10 but also 6 and 8 but this year he shall play more 10 and 9 than 6 and 8 because there [in midfield] we have more players.”"

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The former Everton player said he is ready for the new mission and is up to the task of playing in an attacking role.

"“In the past I played Number 10 and Number 9 sometimes when I had to help the team. It’s not important where I play, it’s important to win the game. It’s different playing midfielder and striker or No10 but I enjoy all the positions I can play.”"

The 64-year-old will look to avoid any surprises at the Jan Breydel Stadium. When asked if this was his biggest game at United yet, he instantly agreed. But the aim will now be to make sure this is one of many European nights for him.

Manchester United’s predicted XI: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Young, Fellaini, Memphis, Rooney.

Next: John Stones Hands in Transfer Request

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