FA Cup Win Preferred To Champions League Qualification – Van Gaal

[caption id="attachment_8536" align="alignnone" width="690"]Image Credit: Getty Images Louis van Gaal, Manchester United manager[/caption]

Manchester United’s manager, Louis Van Gaal has said he prefers winning the FA Cup than qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

The Red Devils play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday, after finishing fifth behind Manchester City in the English Premeir League, ultimately missing out on Champions League football next season.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of the FA Cup final, the Dutchman said winning the FA Cup is a better achievement as it will bring the trophy back to Old Trafford.

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United have not won a major trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

“I think the interest of the club is much more important and the interest of the fans is more important than those of the manager,” said Van Gaal during his pre-match press conference according to Manutd.com.

“Of course, you have your own aims and that’s one of the aims I have had always, so it’s always exciting when you are so close, but close is not enough – you have to win it. A club like Manchester United needs silverware.

“I have read that the last FA Cup was 2004 so it’s a long time ago, so also for Manchester United it’s a big title I think, especially as it was a long time ago.

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“We are very close, but still you have nothing when you don’t win. So it’s always a final you cannot predict.

“I think it is always important,” said Van Gaal. “When you win silverware, it’s important for the players, because a qualification is not a title.

“A title is the FA Cup or championship, because they can look and hold the trophy, so that’s an exciting moment also. We are playing in the most prestigious temple in England, so everything has confirmed how important this trophy is.

“It is a while since we won anything, so it’s very good if we win something. We have played four matches of the six away, so I think we deserve something also, I think.”

Van Gaal has insisted that his own future at the club, which continues to attract varied speculation in the media and on the terraces, is a minor concern compared to final itself.

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Old Trafford Supporters have constantly expressed their disappointment at the team’s style of play this season, and they would expect a strong finish to end their campaign.

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