Van Gaal Wary Of Cambridge Test

Louis van Gaal is adamant that his players will not underestimate Cambridge United during Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie.

The Dutchman has completed his homework on Richard Money’s team and has instructed his defenders to expect plenty of long balls at the Abbey Stadium, based on the height of the opposing players. But having also taken note of Cambridge's three consecutive victories in all competitions, he is not taking the challenge lightly.

“It’s always tough to play against weaker teams because in the players’ minds, it is a weaker team,” van Gaal explained at his pre-match press conference. “For example, on Wednesday, PSV Eindhoven – who are no.1 in the league in the Netherlands – lost against no.3 of the second division. It shall happen also in the FA Cup. There are always surprises and I hope we are not the surprise.

“When you see Cambridge and when you analyse Cambridge, they play very direct with long balls. They have five or six players who are taller than 1 metre 90 so for us it will be difficult to defend against. That is why you have to prepare yourself very good. It is not so easy to beat Cambridge United.”

Take a glance at van Gaal’s CV and you will see that he has won domestic cups while managing in the Netherlands, Spain and Germany. Although those successes were of great value to his previous clubs, he feels there is a greater emphasis on knockout competitions in England.

“It is different more in the atmosphere,” he told reporters at the Aon Training Complex. “I think here the FA Cup is very important for the fans, for the people and also for the players. That is the difference. In Germany it is fantastic that you win the cup, but not like here.

“Also, the attendances are much higher here than in Germany or Spain. Of course, when you play Barca-Atletico Madrid, then there is also a full crowd but there are not many matches in Germany and Spain sold out, and that is the difference.”