Louis van Gaal: ‘Winning FA Cup more important than finishing in top four’
Louis van Gaal has admitted that he is desperate to pick up some silverware at Manchester United this season by any means necessary.
The Dutchman’s job is reportedly on the line heading into this weekend’s FA Cup final meeting with Crystal Palace, due to an underwhelming two-year spell at Old Trafford thus far that has seen the club fall short domestically and in Europe.
Van Gaal, who still has one more year left to run on the contract signed in 2014, is thought to be on thebrink of being sacked by United after missing out on the Premier League’s top four.
Saturday’s showdown with Palace offers a welcome reprieve for the experienced boss, with Van Gaal suggesting that lifting a trophy means far more to his players than merely qualifying for the Champions League.
“Your starting point is always to impress and perform good, but that depends on a lot of factors, including your opponent,” he told reporters. “Our starting point is to win well and score beautiful goals. But if we win 1-0 that is also enough.
“They can look and hold the cup. That is exciting. The FA Cup is a big title in England. We are playing in the most prestigious temple of England. It confirms how important it is.”
Man United finished their league campaign with a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night – a result that saw them miss out on the top four by goal difference alone.
