Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Key Louis Van Gaal Comments from Presser

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed it would be “fantastic” for his side to lift a trophy and finish in the top four ahead of the Red Devils’ upcoming FA Cup quarter-final clash with Arsenal.

The Dutchman Gaal was speaking on the back of United’s last-gasp victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in midweek, a result that keeps this team’s top-four aspirations well and truly alive. But even though the Red Devils are just three wins away from FA Cup glory, the Dutchman seemed to hint that a Champions League spot may be more important, per manutd.com:

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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.

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Van Gaal also commented on a couple of peculiar incidents from that win over the Toon Army. The first was Jonny Evans apparently spitting in the direction of Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse. The Senegalese star has since apologised for his actions, while the United man has denied intentionally spitting at his opponent, per the Press Association, via the Guardian.

The United manager was quick to back his man, too:

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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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Stu Forster/Getty Images

Reports also surfaced in the wake of the game that Van Gaal and United legend Ryan Giggs had been involved in a rift, per Alex Richards of the Mirror. But the Dutchman was unashamedly unhappy with those suggestions:

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I cannot answer that. We have a very bad relationship [jokes]... I’m very irritated by this question.

We have a very good relationship, everyone can see that we work very hard together, and that goes for all the staff and players. I’ll take this up with the media, I’m not pleased.

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Shifting focus back to the upcoming clash with the Gunners, in positive news for the Red Devils, Van Gaal revealed that there had been no new injury worries for the club after their win on Tyneside. He also provided an update on Luke Shaw’s injury problems:

The unexpected match winner in the Newcastle fixture was Ashley Young, as the winger calmly slotted home a winner in the dying embers of the match.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Since his move from Aston Villa the England international has failed to set Old Trafford alight, but Van Gaal was full of praise for Young during the presser, insisting he boasts all the attributes needed to flourish under his watch:

Van Gaal also had praise aplenty for his opposite number in the FA Cup quarter-final, Arsene Wenger:

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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.

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LAURENT GILLIERON/Associated Press

The United boss also claimed that a win in this match could have huge connotations for either side as they look to secure their spots in the top four at the end of the season:

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I think if we beat them it is a big blow for them but if they beat us it is a big blow for us.

It is a very important game, not only for the FA Cup but also for the rat race. We have the support of our fans but Arsenal shall also bring a lot of fans. I hope we can give a fantastic match for them.

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Michael Regan/Getty Images

With big names like Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all out of the FA Cup and one more set to depart on Monday, this year’s competition is wide open. And while Van Gaal may seem to favour a tilt at the top four over a run to Wembley, winning some silverware in his first season in charge would represent a major achievement.

With no European commitments to negotiate, this Red Devils squad should be capable of handling the demands of two separate competitions.

Arsenal are in a rich vein of form at the minute and will be very tough opponents as they look to salvage something from their own campaign, but United are tough to beat and have a fine record against the Gunners at Old Trafford.