Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted that a lack of UEFA Champions League football could dampen his side’s chances of winning the league title.

The Dutchman has refused to rule out a title bid this season, despite the club’s poor start to the campaign.

Van Gaal’s side have picked up five points from four games but they did finally perform last weekend against Queens Park Rangers with a 4-0 win at Old Trafford.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was adamant that Liverpool had an advantage last season by not playing in Europe, but Van Gaal reckons it could hinder United this campaign.

He told Sky Sports News: “I do think always that it is better to compete with the strongest clubs in the world than to train a lot of times in the week.

“So I do think it is a benefit to compete in the Champions League because you have to compete with high level opponents.

“You’ve seen it this week, Chelsea 1-1, Liverpool with a present at the end and Arsenal has lost – that’s competition.

“All the teams have a lot of good players, not only 16 players but more than 25 players in their squad so you can play in that rhythm.”

Van Gaal’s team will take on Leicester City on Sunday and they are currently 1.62 to win, with the draw 3.78, while the Foxes are 5.78 to pick up all three points with Dafabet.