West Ham V Manchester United: Louis Van Gaal Talks David De Gea After FA Cup Win

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal showered star goalkeeper David De Gea with praise following the Red Devils' 2-1 FA Cup win over West Ham United on Wednesday.   

The Spaniard made several key stops throughout the contest to preserve the victory, and Van Gaal couldn't ask for much more out of the stopper position, per United's official Twitter account:

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Louis van Gaal on @D_DeGea: "He is one of the best goalkeepers you can imagine. I am very happy with him." #mufc

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 13, 2016"

As reported by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, he highlighted one save in particular, which preserved a “deserved” win:

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We controlled the game for 85 minutes and we could have finished the game much earlier, but then they scored against us and it is very nervous until the end.

David De Gea saved us with a fantastic save but when you see the match I think we have deserved that. It is deserved but you can also make it much more difficult for us because they come back and extra-time is more difficult for us.

"

Marcus Rashford opened the score in the second half with a stunning strike before Marouane Fellaini doubled the Red Devils' advantage, and while James Tomkins gave the hosts some hope with a late strike, De Gea refused to concede a second time.

Rashford's goal set everything in motion, and Van Gaal revealed he lived through the strike:

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Boss on Rashford's strike: "A brilliant goal - I was shouting 'shoot!', but that's easier to do than to shout!" pic.twitter.com/af1cBAIAEi

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 13, 2016"

He reserved special praise for the 18-year-old, per Luckhurst:

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He’s very focused on his work and that I admire, when you are so young and there is so much attention. He is scoring so many goals and important goals.

He can cope with criticism also and he can say about himself, 'yes manager you are right and I have to do that'. I think it is fantastic because there are not a lot of players who can see their self-image.

"

The young forward was one of the standout performers for United, who altered their tactics for this particular match. Per Luckhurst, the team played a 4-3-3 formation for the first time this season.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Van Gaal explained why he went with that particular system―to negate the Hammers' size advantage:

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West Ham is a more physical game and also in height.

I have to, in every match, take into account the height of my players because every set play you have seen is a danger and that's why I chose this line-up.

But, of course, also because of the qualities of the players and if they can cope with the midfield of West Ham United.

"

The tactics clearly paid off, as the Red Devils emerged victorious after a difficult battle against one of England's most in-form teams. It took the side two tries to get past West Ham and qualify for the semi-finals, and Van Gaal was more than happy to finally advance:

He also revealed he's looking forward to managing at Wembley Stadium after missing out on the opportunity to do so back in 2001, per Luckhurst:

Van Gaal's future at Old Trafford has seemingly been hanging by a thread for months now, but every time the Dutchman appears to be on the verge of an exit, he and his team book the type of win fans are desperately craving.

Wednesday's clash was no different, and suddenly, the Red Devils find themselves right in the hunt for a major trophy. The fact youngsters like Rashford played a key role in the win only adds to the feeling of optimism―for all his faults, no one can deny Van Gaal has done wonders with the club's academy graduates.

United will face Everton at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, April 23.

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