Louis van Gaal is well aware that his Manchester United side are under enormous pressure this week.

The Red Devils host Belgian outfit Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday night and the Dutchman knows that these types of matches can be very tricky for those clubs expected to win.

"There is a lot of pressure because our players, our board and especially our fans want to participate in the Champions League," he said.

"And the draw has made it even more difficult because Bruges are a good team. They can defend and attack well.

"As (Arsenal boss) Arsene Wenger mentioned last season, these kind of matches are difficult. For all those reasons of course these are the most significant games since I arrived here. We have to show our quality."