• FA Cup

Van Gaal would take top four spot over FA Cup glory

Louis van Gaal has reiterated his desire to lead Manchester United back into the Champions League and, while admitting winning the FA Cup would be "fantastic", insisted the club's priority remains to finish in the top four.

United host Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final on Monday, with both teams sitting third and fourth in the Premier League respectively. Van Gaal previously won silverware in his first seasons with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and, while he wishes to do the same at Old Trafford, it is not his main aim.

"I always want to achieve the goals we've set as a club," Van Gaal said. "That goal is to reach the top four, and a title [trophy] would be fantastic.

"The top four is important for the club, if you win the FA Cup you're still not in the Champions League. It's fantastic for the manager, but our goal is to reach the top four in our first season together. To finish in the top four, it's a fantastic achievement, and more so for Manchester United."

United welcome Arsenal after successive league wins against Sunderland and Newcastle, the latter coming on Wednesday night thanks to a late goal from Ashley Young.

Having seen his side emerge victorious at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season - again, thanks to a late Wayne Rooney strike - Van Gaal knows what it takes to beat Arsene Wenger's side. However, the Dutchman remained cautious over his side's chances.

"It's difficult to say because Arsenal can also be at their best, but they might not be so good," Van Gaal said. "It depends on your opponent, but usually against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea you have to be at your best.

"In this league, when you're not, it's difficult to beat an opponent. We saw that yesterday [against Newcastle], you need some luck, Rooney's goal was ruled out [for offside], there are a lot of aspects you can't control.

"United are Arsenal are placed third and fourth in the league, so it's almost like a final I think … It's very important, every match that you play has an influence on the next. We are in a rat race in the Premier League and the club that wins the FA Cup match on Monday will have good momentum for the league games."

Van Gaal held sympathy for Arsenal counterpart Wenger, who once again came under scrutiny following his side's Champions League defeat to Monaco last Wednesday.

"I think Arsene Wenger is always saying the right things - for any club, the Champions League is the highest level," Van Gaal added via MUTV. "In my opinion [what he has done] is amazing.

"It can only be in England, I believe, where managers are so long committed with one club. It shows how much he can mean for a club as a manager. I like that - like Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger - I think it's fantastic that you can do that."

United's victory at St James' Park was marred by an incident involving Jonny Evans and Papiss Cisse, with both players appearing to spit at each other. Van Gaal stated he could "not imagine" Evans spitting and, with the FA set to investigate further, the manager trusts English football's governing body will handle the situation correctly.

Van Gaal added: "As I've said in last night's [Wednesday's] press conference, Jonny was not aware that he was spitting. It's a natural thing for a human being, it wasn't his intention. I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans could do something like that, and he's also said that. I believe him, so the matter is done. I think the FA is very wise."

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