The only thing that counts is Manchester United are in the next round – Louis van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has insisted that the result in their FA Cup third round clash with Sheffield United this evening was all that mattered.

The Red Devils laboured to a 1-0 victory over their League One opponents at Old Trafford, managing just two shots on target including Wayne Rooney’s 93rd-minute winner from the penalty spot.

Van Gaal admitted that his side found it “difficult” to break down Sheffield United, but believes that their presence in the fourth round makes it a successful day’s work. “It’s always difficult to play against such an opponent with 10 or 11 players behind the ball,” Van Gaal told BT Sport.

“You have to play more quickly than we did in the first half. In the second half it was a little bit better but not too much because they were very well organised. It’s more easy to defend than attack and at the end we get the penalty but it was a deserved penalty.

“We win this match and that’s the most important thing. I said in advance to the boys, ‘The only thing that counts is we are in the [fourth] round’, and we did it.

How many chances have Sheffield United created? Nobody is talking about that. Everybody is talking about the fantastic defence of Sheffield United. I don’t think you can do different as a player of the [third] level.”

United are back in Premier League action on Tuesday when they take on Newcastle United.