After win at Norwich, Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal targets two more wins, starting with West Ham on Tuesday

"We have got to prepare right mentally as there will be a good atmosphere there," Louis van Gaal says of West Ham game but has fitness concerns over Anthony Martial and Matteo Darmian.

Louis van Gaal gives instructions to Manchester United substitue Timothy Fosu Mensah before he enters the pitch against Norwich City on May 7, 2016.

NORWICH // Louis van Gaal is targeting two more victories in his Manchester United side's final Premier League games of the season as they continue their quest for a Uefa Champions League spot.

Juan Mata's second-half goal against second-from-bottom Norwich City secured a 1-0 win at Carrow Road on Saturday that left United fifth in the Premier League table and one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City who host Arsenal on Sunday.

Anything other than victory for City would put United’s bid for a top-four finish in their own hands.

See also:

• Gallery: Juan Mata brings Manchester United closer to top four, and Norwich closer to relegation

• Team Talk podcast: Will it be Van Gaal, Mourinho or Giggs in charge at Old Trafford next season? - Ep 23

FA Cup finalists United head to West Ham United on Tuesday before completing their league season against Bournemouth.

“Obviously the main thing for us was to get the three points today and we did that well,” United manager Van Gaal said.

“I thought we looked comfortable. It was much-needed and now we can concentrate on the West Ham game.

“They sat back deep and let us play, they made it tough for us,” the Dutchman added.

Victory came at a price as Van Gaal was forced to rethink his plans when 15-goal attacker Anthony Martial was injured in the warm-up.

Wayne Rooney moved further forward as the main attacking threat and it was Rooney who capitalised on Sebastian Bassong’s mistake to tee-up Mata for the winner.

Martial is a doubt for the West Ham game as is full-back Matteo Darmian who was carried off on a stretcher in the first half following a clash with Norwich defender Ivo Pinto.

Darmian’s knee injury was the more serious of the two and the Italian’s participation at the European Championship in France, which start in June, could be at risk.

“We don’t know the extent of the injuries to either at this stage but it was a blow for everybody because we had to change my plans,” Van Gaal said.

“With Wayne Rooney up front after Anthony was injured in the warm-up we had to adapt but he did the job today. When players are out of the team, it can be hard to fill the void but we did that today.

“Especially here it is a tight pitch and it’s a battle to draw out points like that, but they all count at the end of the season.

“I was expecting them to press more but they let us play. Our focus now is recovery, we have got to prepare right mentally as there will be a good atmosphere there [at West Ham] and hopefully we will get the job done there as well.”

Norwich will now need Sunderland and Newcastle United to slip up if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

Alex Neil’s side have lost four games in a row, without scoring in any of them and if Sunderland beat Everton on Wednesday, Norwich will be playing in the Championship next season.

“That game is a repeat of a our season,” said Norwich manager Neil.

“There have been so many times where we have been in the game, played pretty well.

“I thought the first 10-15 [minutes] we played well and applied good pressure. We had a really good chance and had a couple of bits and pieces around by the box.

“Generally when teams have that spell, that’s when they get the goal. We didn’t get the goal but I thought we limited Manchester United and they didn’t really hurt us in anyway shape or form.

“John Ruddy didn’t have a save to make until the goal went in. And that is off the back of another mistake that has happened quite a few times for us this year.

“It is not over but it is a major blow.”

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