United could have won title – Van Gaal

English Premier League table toppers Chelsea stretched their lead over third-placed Manchester United to 11 points last weekend with a 1-0 league win over the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge.

Winger Eden Hazard’s goal gave the Blues the three points on the 38th minute, but there was actually little between the two teams and United manager Louis van Gaal is already plotting to overthrow the English top flight champions elect next season, although the Dutch boss admitted that he may not have had to wait this long before getting his hands on the title.

Had it not been a poor run of just three wins in their opening 10 games of the season, Van Gaal feels it could have been his side running away with the title rather than Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.

“Yes, we had a very bad start,” he told MUTV.

“I have already explained that after several matches why so I don’t have to repeat myself but if we had started well, we could have been the champions.”

Van Gaal’s focus is now on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, with United not participating in the competition this season after the Old Trafford outfit finished seventh in the league under David Moyes last campaign.

Van Gaal felt envy as he watched other teams in Champions League action, and he hopes to participate in Europe’s elite club competition next term.

“Of course I miss it,” he said.

“When I look to the matches this week also, great matches and also sometimes disappointing because the level was not always high and the difference between the teams was very high, I believe, so I miss it very much.

“I hope we shall achieve our goal for the season and play next season in the Champions League but we still have 15 points to fight for.

It is not done yet.”