Van Gaal Looks Forward To Arsenal Cup Clash

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is relishing the opportunity of taking on Arsenal in the FA Cup after his charges secured a safe passage to the quarter-finals of the competition thanks to a 3-1 win over Preston on Monday night.

Following a trio of away draws in the famous old tournament, the boss was more than happy to see the Reds come out of the pot first and ensure that his team will have home advantage in the last eight.

"The most important thing is that we have a draw at home," van Gaal told journalists at his post-match press conference. "In FA Cup matches, I believe that is important, so I am pleased that we get to play against Arsenal at home."

However, the Dutchman was also keen to stress that, given the unpredictability of this season's competition, nothing can be taken for granted as the Reds prepare to renew rivalries with the Gunners.

"Every game in the FA Cup is difficult to win because every team is giving everything," van Gaal added. "You have also seen it in this round how many better situated teams have lost. So what is very important is that we will play at home for the first time."

Those high-profile exits merely heighten the sense of opportunity for both teams, who are looking to take the overall lead in the Cup's list of all-time winners. United and Arsenal are tied on 11 triumphs and, after a glut of epic battles down the years in this tournament, it could be another typically intense encounter in March.