Schneiderlin is looking ahead to the knockout stages already

Untied did not qualify for the competition last term

Morgan Schneiderlin has already set his sights on the knockout stage of the Champions League after admitting there is no reason that Manchester United cannot finish top of Group B as they prepare to open their campaign away to PSV Eindhoven.

Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow are United's other opponents in what appears to be a relatively favourable group, and Schneiderlin is eager to get started at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday night following his £25million summer move from Southampton.

The France midfielder said: 'For me, the Champions League is a step up but I joined more for the knockout stages of the competition. I can't wait to play these huge games and on the biggest stage. We start against PSV Eindhoven and we have a group in which we can finish on top if we play how we are capable of doing.

Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin shoots at goal during a training session this week

United players are put through their paces in training ahead of the Champions League group stages

United goalkeeper David de Gea prepares to roll the ball out from the box during a training session

'I wanted to make that step last year to play on the biggest stage in the Champions League and to compete every time at the top of the Premier League. So I am delighted to be at Manchester United. It's very important, the expectation is huge but I'm ready for it.'

Schneiderlin played in United's victory at home to Bruges in the qualifying round but spent the return leg in Belgium on the bench, and knows he faces fierce competition from Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger for a place in midfield.

Carrick and Schweinsteiger started in Saturday's win at home to Liverpool, suggesting that Schneiderlin was being rested ahead of a recall to the line-up against PSV.

He said: 'You have to perform every time to keep your place in the team. As long as I play how I can, I am confident. The manager brought me here for a reason because he probably felt that I can bring a plus to the team.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Michael Carrick started United's game against Liverpool on Saturday

L-R: Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata and Antonio Valencia warm-up during training on Monday

'It is now up to me to stand up to the expectation as well as possible. I am learning every day from big players like Schweinsteiger and Carrick, it is a pleasure to train with them.'

Van Gaal's management style has come under scrutiny in recent days but Schneiderlin insists that he has no problem with the Dutchman, adding: 'Every manager has his own style, I'm just trying to adapt as quickly as possible. Of course, he always wants perfection – and rightly so. We are at a big club and we have to perform well.'