Manchester United will always be superior to Tottenham, claims Louis van Gaal
* Tottenham beat Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday at White Hart Lane
* Manchester United face a struggle to qualify for the Champions League
* Louis van Gaal could have become Spurs manager in 2014
* Spurs are now 12 points ahead of United in the Premier League table
* Wayne Rooney will return to action for United on Monday night
Louis van Gaal has taunted Tottenham by claiming Manchester United will always be a ‘bigger’ club despite watching his team slump to comprehensive defeat at White Hart Lane.
Three quickfire goals from Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela kept Spurs in the title race whilst firing another crushing blow to United’s Champions League hopes.
But in an astonishing post-match rant, Van Gaal, who could have become Spurs manager in 2014, insisted United will always be superior to the north London club.
Louis van Gaal has claimed that Manchester United will always be a ‘bigger’ club than Tottenham
When asked whether he regretted not taking the Spurs job, the Dutchman answered: 'In the balance we (United) are still ahead (of Tottenham) and you take one match as something that I have to say the challenge is bigger.
‘The challenge is always bigger in a bigger club. I like Tottenham and Daniel Levy knows that but the challenge is bigger in Manchester United and shall always be bigger.
‘I am sorry for Tottenham but Manchester United will always be the bigger club. I think it is pathetic you use one game to say that but that is up to you.’
Van Gaal’s assertions are even more extraordinary given the 12-point gap to second-placed Tottenham.
Nevertheless, Van Gaal insists his team can still secure a total top-four slot, despite sitting four points behind Manchester City who occupy the final Champions League position.
There was one shred of good news for United on Sunday, however, Van Gaal confirming Wayne Rooney will make his return to action on Monday night.
‘He shall play on Monday (for the Under-21s) for 60 minutes, we will see how he is doing because he is more than two months out of the game,' said Van Gaal.
‘Of course he is a great striker but he has to show already if he is in certain shape. It is always like that.' On his side’s top-four chances and performance at White Hart Lane, he added: ‘Yes we can still do it because six games is 18 points but it is more difficult than before sure.'
Despite Van Gaal’s claims, Spurs kept their hopes of a Premier League title glory alive with this resounding win.
And manager Mauricio Pochettino fired a stark warning to league leaders Leicester following his side’s victory.
Van Gaal is adamant that his side can still qualify for the Champions League despite Sunday's loss
‘I think that it’s true that we sent a message that we are there, waiting and fighting, if they fail we need to stay there, it’s important,’said the Tottenham manager. ‘It’s true that seven points is a difficult gap to reduce, but we need to believe. And the performance like today, and the result like today, showed that this team believes.
‘What happens in the end, we will see. But it is important to keep this mentality.’ Having watched Leicester extend their lead at the league summit to 10 points earlier in the day, Spurs knew anything but victory would give the Foxes a near unassailable advantage going into the the final five games.
But Tottenham responded and Pochettino, who missed Lamela’s goal after going for a toilet break, added: ‘Belief is always important in football. ‘Believe and be focused, and concentrate, because any action can change the game. It was hard (Leicester’s win), because always you expect a different result.
'It was important for us to show after the Leicester game character, personality and maturity. ‘I think we moved one step forward. It was an experience for this young squad to play with pressure and try to reduce the gap.’
Meanwhile, Manchester United are facing a £5,000 fine for arriving late to Sunday’s clash, causing kick-off to be delayed by 30 minutes.
United’s coach encountered heavy traffic en route to north London from their team hotel.
In a bid to dodge the congestion, United’s coach driver took an alternative route only to cause further delay due to a low tunnel the vehicle couldn’t fit under.
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