Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United will suffer if they continually fail to reach the Champions League

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the club must find a way to return to the Champions League – or risk being left behind by their rivals.

The Red Devils have two avenues back to Europe’s top competition open to them: a top-four finish in the Premier League, or winning the Europa League as they did three years ago.

Either one would propel United back among the Continent’s elite, which they have only competed in during three of the past six seasons – a drastic change from when they competed in the Champions League 18 years in a row up to 2013/14.

With the financial benefits on offer from being in the competition on a regular basis, Solskjaer says it’s important United regain their status to ensure the club doesn’t “suffer,” but acknowledges the need to juggle competitions at present.

“We’re a big club and we’ve got good finances but the longer you’re out the more you suffer, so it’s an ambition to get back into the Champions League,” the boss said in his pre-game press conference.

“For footballing reasons and financially it will help the club. We’ve got to focus on this competition, then the league on Sunday and then FA Cup.”

While United won the Europa League in 2017, Solskjaer is wary about putting all his hopes on repeating the trick.

The likes of Inter Milan, Wolves and Bayer Leverkusen are all still involved, while the lure of a Champions League spot will entice more teams to play their strongest side the longer they stay in the competition.

“I think we need to take one game at a time. Both [routes into the Champions League through the Europa League and Premier League] are possible.

“In a cup competition, you never know.

“It might be a bad day. You can’t rely on winning this. There are some good teams in it and we need to get past Brugge. We’re looking forward to the game.”

United host Club Brugge in the second leg of their round of 32 tie on Thursday night, having been held 1-1 in the first leg in Belgium.