Rooney Can Inspire United In The FA Cup

Louis van Gaal feels Wayne Rooney is ready to motivate his Manchester United team-mates for a potentially memorable FA Cup night against Arsenal as the skipper is desperate to lift the trophy for the first time in his illustrious career.

The striker performed well in the 2005 final against the Gunners but ended up on the losing side despite finding the net in the penalty shoot-out before being part of the team edged out by Chelsea at Wembley two years later.

Rooney was described by the boss as "fantastic" during the league win at Newcastle United and he is certain to make life difficult for the Gunners' defence again on Monday.

"I'm not sure how Wayne will motivate the dressing room, but I think he will," explained van Gaal. "He's very motivated as a captain and a player. He wants to win a trophy and he hasn't won the FA Cup yet. My first championship was very important, it was very emotional for me. You've seen how motivated he was in the last minute of the game at Newcastle, he was running and pressing, it was fantastic."

Success often breeds success in football and van Gaal is under no illusions about what lifting the trophy for the first time in 11 years would mean to the club.

"You always want to win something: the players, the manager, the fans," he added. "When you win something like the FA Cup, it's very important. It gives you a lot of value, if you fight for something and get it you're pleased."