Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that his side's Europa League last-16 tie against Liverpool is a game that his team "have to win".

The Red Devils will face Liverpool in a European competition for the first time in their history when the two arch rivals go head to head at Anfield on Thursday.

United will welcome the Merseyside outfit to Old Trafford the following week on March 17 for the second leg, which will decide who progresses into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Both clubs are currently out of the top four spots in the Premier League table, so winning the second-tier European competition could be their only route to next season's Champions League.

In Wednesday's press conference, when asked about the last-16 tie, Van Gaal told reporters: "You have to win, in both cases I think.

"It is no different, although Liverpool against Manchester United is always a big game, traditionally I think, historical, and now, especially as both teams fight for a Champions League position so it's a big game for both sides I think.

"When I beat teams like Liverpool then the appreciation is higher. I hope we shall beat them for the fifth time and the sixth time but more for the fans than myself."

Van Gaal's United team have not been beaten by Liverpool in the last two seasons.