The Red Devils must safely negotiate a two-legged play-off in August in order to enter the group stages and their manager is expecting a tough test

Champions League qualification is not a 'piece of cake', warns Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has warned his side that qualifying for the Champions Leagueproper will not be a "piece of cake" after their fourth place finish secured a play-off spot.

The Red Devils missed out on a place in Europe's elite tournament last season after a disastrous campaign under David Moyes saw them finish in seventh place.

However, United will return to the competition next season and face a two-legged play-off in August which, if they were to lose, would see them drop into the Europa League instead,

Van Gaal's side will be seeded for the draw for the play-offs which takes place on August 7, but even so the Dutchman has warned his team they must not take qualification for granted.

"First we have to qualify ourselves still because we have to play two matches to qualify for the Champions League and that’s not so easy," he told MUTV.

"I hope that we succeed but still we have to be aware that it’s not like it’s a piece of cake.

"But I have a lot of confidence that we qualify ourselves but first I want to hear the draw and then we will talk about it."

Should Manchester United win their play-off they will be placed in Pot 2 for the draw for the Champions League group stages.