Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United: Louis van Gaal FA Cup Final Presser Quotes

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said the club's interests must come before those of the manager in the buildup to Saturday's FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, potentially a make-or-break tie in his Old Trafford tenure.

Van Gaal spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Wembley Stadium, a venue he dubbed "the most prestigious temple in England."

When asked if victory over Palace would preserve his place as manager, Van Gaal replied, per the Mirror's David McDonnell:

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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. 

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. 

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

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The Red Devils have already qualified for the UEFA Europa League after finishing fifth in the English top flight, but FA Cup glory would nonetheless boost Van Gaal's chances of extending his Old Trafford stay.

While triumph may be viewed as a route to salvation for the former Netherlands chief, Van Gaal may have unintentionally piled some more pressure on his shoulders, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

That being said, United have never lost to Palace in Premier League competition and failed to concede a goal to the Eagles in two league meetings this term.

Van Gaal also suggested an FA Cup win at Wembley could mean more to the club than a top-four finish in the Premier League would have, hyping up the importance of title victories, per Metro's Chris Winterburn:

United fans haven't had too many clear chances at major trophies since Van Gaal's 2014 arrival, but the 11-time champions of this tournament now have an opportunity to end this campaign with a flourish.

Narrow wins have, by and large, been the name of United's game under Van Gaal this term, and the Red Devils boss hinted he won't change tactics for Saturday before touching on Palace's set-piece threat, per Manchester Evening News:

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A 1-0 win for me is also enough because winning is the most important thing in the final. If you lose, you have nothing. Palace have a lot of speed in their attack on counters so it will be difficult.

They have scored a lot out of set plays. They have a scored 29 goals from the 56 they have scored from set-pieces and that is a lot - more than we have done.

"

It may not be the motivated attitude some supporters would hope to hear from their leader just days before a final.

Van Gaal also confirmed both Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo will be available for selection on Saturday, per BBC Red Wednesday, although the manager wouldn't reveal if the former is set to start:

Whatever selection Van Gaal puts out, it will be a team expected to go on and claim this season's FA Cup title, and in doing so, putting a season of anguish behind them.

Palace may feel this is their best opportunity if they were to ever beat United in an FA Cup final, and Van Gaal isn't unaware as to the burden he bears in what could be his last game as Red Devils chief.