Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that a top four finish in the English Premier League is more important than winning the FA Cup for the Red Devils this season.
The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League table and are two points adrift of fourth placed Manchester City. With the possibility of missing out on a Champions League place looming large, Louis van Gaal has been the subject of intense criticism by the fans.
However, the Dutchman has the opportunity to take a step closer to winning his first major trophy as manager of Manchester United when his side take on Everton at Wembley on Saturday.
“I think it is always a success when you win a title,” Van Gaal said when asked if this would be a successful season if they finished fifth but won the cup (via Mail Online).
“But for the club it is more important to qualify for the Champions League because we have to show ourselves at the highest level. That is also our aim.”
FA Cup success would allow Van Gaal to continue his run of winning a trophy at every club he has managed, from the Champions League with Ajax to league titles at Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich.
“Always when you win a title it represents what Manchester United stands for,” added the Dutchman. “We have had a period of a lot of titles and we want to bring it back.
“And when you win the FA Cup, you have a title and a very respectable title and in England more than in other countries.”
Is a fourth place finish a distant reality for Man Utd?
With the difference between third placed Arsenal and fourth placed Manchester City being two points, and the difference between fourth placed City and fifth placed United being two points as well, a top four finish is certainly possible for the Red Devils.
However, with Man City still in the UEFA Champions League and both Arsenal and City having an easy run of games before taking on each other in May, Manchester United might be forced to play catch up till the last fixture. And with the Red Devils slated to take on in-form sides in Leicester City and West Ham United, the chances of finishing fourth appear slim.
