Manchester United gear up for money matches beginning with Tuesday's Brugge game

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits he is under intense pressure to qualify for the Champions League – and when you look at the financial figures involved, it is easy to see why.

Should Van Gaal lead United to victory in their two-legged play-off against Club Brugge, they will earn a place in the group stage of Europe's premier club competition.

Should they make it all the way to the final and lift the trophy in Milan next May, they could secure over £40million in prize money alone.

SEE MORE: Manchester United will face Brugge in UEFA Champions League playoff

United would receive £9.92million just for beating the Belgian side and qualifying for the group phase.

Up to £6.4million could be won, depending on performances, in the group stage and qualifying for the last 16 brings an additional prize of £3.9million.

Another £4.3million follows for quarter-final qualification and, should United reach the last four, they will gain another £5million.

The winners of the showpiece final in Milan will bag a £10.7million prize.

An additional chunk of the £343million of television income would also go to the club, depending on their performances and those of their English peers in the competition.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Tuesday’s game will be shown live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes in the United States beginning at 2:45pm ET.