Louis van Gaal: 'Barcelona, Bayern Munich fear Manchester United'

Louis van Gaal has claimed that Europe's elite will be keen to avoid Manchester United in the Champions League when the group-stage draw is made on Friday.

The Red Devils returned to the continent's flagship tournament in style as a Wayne Rooney hat-trick at Club Brugge on Wednesday wrapped up a 4-0 victory, with Van Gaal's men progressing 7-1 on aggregate.

The Dutchman has previously managed Bayern Munich and reigning champions Barcelona, but the veteran coach says that neither of them will be keen to draw his current side on the back of their blitz in Belgium.

"I don't think they want to draw us," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"No we have to wait and see of course this was a glorious night for Manchester United, it's not so easy to do this what we have done."

Ander Herrera added a fourth following Rooney's treble, while Javier Hernandez missed an 80th-minute penalty to fatten the scoreline.

It will be United's first campaign since the 2013-14 season.