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Live Coverage: Louis van Gaal's weekly Manchester United press conference

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's pre-match press conference ahead of his side's match against Queens Park Rangers.
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Louis van Gaal has admitted that Robin van Persie could miss Manchester United's trip to Loftus Road with a minor injury.

The striker is a doubt for the trip to Queens Park Rangers this weekend after sustaining the knock in last week's defeat to Southampton.

The Dutchman also spoke about his side's chances of qualifying for the Champions League and transfer prospects.

Read what else the manager said below:


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Good morning! Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is due to speak to the media shortly as the team seek to bounce from from last weekend's defeat to Southampton.

The manager will be providing a full update on his squad availability, but he has already confirmed to the club's TV channel that Robin van Persie is a doubt after picking up an injury. Last week, only Ashley Young was out for United.

Defender Chris Smalling has also been speaking ahead of this match. He told MUTV: "I think that would be a massive help right through the team. We've had a lot of injuries and if we can get some consistency going amongst the team I think that would definitely help with the results."

Last weekend's loss dropped United down to fourth in the table, leaving them 12 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Facing QPR, who sit in the relegation zone, won't be easy tomorrow, as Redknapp's side have lost just twice at home so far this season.

Don't forget we'll have live coverage of this match from an hour prior to kickoff as well as team news, manager reaction, players ratings and tons more.

Right then, the manager is ready to speak, so let's see what he has to say...

Van Gaal starts by speaking about the transfer window. He says: "I do not think we shall be very active. Not many players at the correct level or available. When we buy a player he has to be better than the ones we have, and that is a difficult job."

On the subject of Radamel Falcao, who could start if Van Persie is not able to, Van Gaal says: "If a player costs £95m or £5,000, it doesn't make any different, you have to prove youself."

Man Utd are hoping to be back in the Champions League next season, and Van Gaal is optimistic about his side's chances: "We have to fight for it, a lot of other teams have the same goal. Of course, I think we can do it. Of course, we want to be the champion but our goal fro the beginning was to finish in the top four. That is still our goal."

Van Gaal is asked about tomorrow opponents, and he admits: "I think their players will do everything to beat Manchester United. Every players and every team wants to beat Manchester United. QPR have a playing style that is difficult for us, we have seen that already. They play a lot of long balls, they have strong strikers and we have to beat them in spite of that."

Going back to Man Utd's title challenge, Van Gaal admits: "We want to be champion, but then you have to win matches against Southampton and Aston Villa away. When you are not going that you cannot be champion."

Sticking with the all-important battle for a place in the top four, Van Gaal adds: "At this moment we have played 21 matches and we are in the area of the four. We have to fight for it because a lot of other teams are willing the same goal."

That's all from Van Gaal today, but make sure you're with us again tomorrow to find out if United can return to winning way at Loftus Road. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

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Radamel Falcao of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Britannia Stadium on January 1, 2015
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