EPL Manchester derby: Van Gaal asks United to finish above Manchester City this season

Manchester United football team manager Louis van Gaal has said that his team must try to finish above neighbors Manchester City this Premier League season, after the Old Trafford outfit beat Manuel Pellegrini's men 4-2 in Sunday's derby.

United took a four point lead over City to secure the third spot in the Premier League after their win at home on Sunday.

The Premier League's top three qualify automatically for the Champions League group phase, with the team in fourth entering in the play-off round.

Van Gaal said that they are now four points ahead of City for third place and that is very important, the BBC reported.

Both, United and City, have six matches left, with Van Gaal's side visiting leaders Chelsea on Saturday hoping to overhaul the one-point gap second-placed Arsenal have on them.

United performed impressively against City, recovering from the setback of Sergio Aguero's opener to record a comprehensive victory thanks to goals by Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling.

It was their first derby victory at Old Trafford since 2011 and Van Gaal said that he is very proud and very happy for the fans. He added that it means a lot for the fans, insisting all the players and staff wanted to give a victory to the fans, claiming that if anybody deserves it, it is the fans this season.

The Dutchman said that the goal United set at the start of the season was to finish in the top four, adding that he would be very pleased when they reach that goal.