Van Gaal Focused Only On Ipswich

Louis van Gaal insists his mind is fully focused on overcoming Ipswich Town in the Capital One Cup as he is determined to move a step closer to Wembley.

The Reds are just two points off top spot in the Barclays Premier League following Sunday's 3-2 win at Southampton but the immediate priority is to avoid an upset in the cup, particularly after losing away to Milton Keynes Dons at the first hurdle last year.

Van Gaal will ensure his players get the message ahead of Wednesday's tie. In an exclusive pre-match interview with MUTV, the manager said: "Last year, we were already out in the second round. Now we are already in the third round so we are already further but I think you have to fight for every cup and that is what we shall do.

"We hope to do it [have a long run in the League Cup]. That’s why I want a fresh team and I hope we shall beat Ipswich Town. Ipswich are a very good team. I have seen them playing, we have analysed this team, they have very good players also and they play like a team. I think they shall play directly to their strikers and that’s always difficult to defend [against]. Cambridge and Preston North End did it also [in last season's FA Cup] but we beat them both."

When told Mick McCarthy has hinted his primary focus is on the weekend's Championship clash with Bristol City as the Suffolk side chase promotion, van Gaal was keen to stress he is putting all thoughts about Saturday's league clash with Sunderland on the back burner.

"No, I am not like that," he replied. "I want to win every match and Sunderland is the game after this match. Now I focus on the match we have to play and I have asked the players to do that in the same way because we have to beat Ipswich Town."

UNITED IN THE LEAGUE CUP: LOWER-DIVISION SIDES AT OLD TRAFFORD

2011/12 - Sir Alex Ferguson's team were knocked out by Crystal Palace (0-2) when the Eagles were a Championship side

2008/09 - The Reds secured a 4-2 win over Derby County in the semi-final second leg (4-3 on aggregate), en route to lifting the trophy

2008/09 - The last time United won a one-off home tie against non-Premier League opposition in the League Cup was on 11 November 2008, when a Carlos Tevez penalty saw off QPR

2005/06 - The Reds' road to winning the competition began with a 4-1 triumph over Barnet