Wednesday 30 September 2015 18:45, UK
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes his side will have to beat Wolfsburg to have a realistic chance of progressing in the Champions League.
United had little trouble dispatching Club Brugge in the play-offs to qualify for the tournament, but their opening Group B game ended in a 2-1 defeat away to PSV Eindhoven.
The Dutchman, who lifted the trophy with Ajax 20 years ago, is optimistic United can get their first win in this season's competition at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
"I think in the Champions League, you need to win all your home matches otherwise it shall be very difficult," said Van Gaal.
"It is important we shall win."
United, who moved to the top of the Premier League on Saturday, are favourites to beat Wolfsburg, but Van Gaal is yet to bring the enterprising football the club's fans desire.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach insists United are heading in the right direction under his stewardship, and the 64-year-old is confident he can take the team to the Champions League final and win the Premier League while he is at Old Trafford.
"That is realistic, because I did it everywhere," Van Gaal said.
"Reaching the final is also an aim and winning the final is a little bit of luck."
United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who won the Champions League with Bayern Munich, shares his manager's optimism.
"Yes. I think (we can)," the Germany midfielder said when asked if United could go all the way to Milan and lift the trophy.
"But of course first of all we have to do our work. As the manager said, we have to win our games at home."
