LONDON, March 9- Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits he would be happy to win the FA Cup, but insists his priority remains to secure Champions League football for next season.
The Red Devils face Arsenal on Monday for a place in the semi-finals of the famous cup competition, and Van Gaal has stressed his side will give their all against their Premier League rivals.
But the Dutchman went on to add that his target upon being appointed to the Old Trafford hotseat was to finish in the top-four, and that has not changed, despite the importance of their upcoming clash with the Gunners.
United currently occupy fourth place in the league standings, one point behind Arsene Wenger’s side in third and two ahead of the old foe, Liverpool, with 10 games remaining in the season.
Van Gaal said: “Of course, as a manager you always want to win things. I am no different and I can tell you that we shall do our best against Arsenal, but I also say this: My target at the start of this season was to finish in the top four and that is till my target. If I have a priority, then it is the top four.
“The Arsenal game is very important. Every match you play has an influence on the next match. We are in a rat race in the Premier League and whoever wins the FA Cup game has a good feeling for the next matches.
“I think that Arsene Wenger is right – I think that Arsene Wenger is always saying right things – for a club, Champions League is the highest level and that’s why he’s saying that.
“To finish in the first four is a fantastic result and for us at Manchester United even more I think. If you win the FA Cup you are not in the Champions League but you have won a title.”
