'Our goal is to be champions' - Van Gaal

Manchester United  manager  Louis van Gaal  is still hoping his side can win the Premier League title this season.

United trail leaders Chelsea by 10 points heading into the Boxing Day fixtures, and are seven points behind second-placed Manchester City.

The club's board of directors have set their sights on a return to the Champions League via a top-four finish, but Van Gaal wants to go all the way.

“In the Netherlands and also in Germany you have the Christmas champions," he said.

“But that doesn't count at the end of May - then you have to be first.

“In Holland and Germany we have a Christmas champion - PSV and Bayern Munich are the Christmas champions.

“It's better to be the Christmas champions, then the possibility you shall be next champion is bigger - but not certain.

“But the best achievement is champion (overall) because our goal is still to be champions at the end of the season.

“That's also the best result. We are looking in a football world where No. 1 is the most important thing.

“Our goal is to be first. It's not always so easy, you can see that.

“That's why the board have said that our goal is within the first four places but still, with my players and all the staff, we are trying to achieve more than they expect from us.”

United face Newcastle at Old Trafford on Friday as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in their last Premier League game.