EPL: Van Gaal believes Man City being sucked into 'rat race' for top four spot

Manchester United football team manager Louis van Gaal believes that champions Manchester City are being sucked into the 'rat race' for a top four spot in the Premier League even if they want it or not.

Following United's 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, Van Gaal said that whether City want that or don't want that, that is the position, adding that it is a rat race, and the defending champions are in it.

City are currently second, six points adrift of Chelsea following a shock loss to Burnley, while Arsenal are a point further back in third, with United two points adrift and Liverpool are also in the hunt, the BBC reported.

Victory at Swansea City on Monday would move Liverpool to within four of City.

Van Gaal added that a tight battle for the top four was good for United, good for the fans and good for the media because there would be lots of things to write about.

The Dutchman was also delighted with United's win over Tottenham, which followed Monday's FA Cup quarterfinal defeat to Arsenal, but was hesitant about labelling it their best display of the season.

Van Gaal admitted that he was very pleased, but added that he is not sure if it was their best. He said that one has to watch it again on video, but claimed that they played like a team, very determined after a defeat like they had against Arsenal, that they lost because of themselves.