Boss Enjoys FA Cup Fever

Louis van Gaal acknowledges Manchester United fans’ fervour for the Emirates FA Cup - and is determined to lift the trophy for them - after meeting a few supporters on a trip to the hairdresser.

Despite believing a top-four finish is more important for the club, the boss is intent on winning the Reds' first FA Cup in 12 years. United will face Everton in the semi-final at Wembley later this month, after knocking out West Ham in midweek, and are meanwhile sitting four points off fourth place in the Barclays Premier League.

“I have said for the club it is much more important that we are finishing in the first four positions because the Champions League is the highest level, and a club like Manchester United has to show their abilities and qualities at the highest level,” van Gaal explained.

“But a trophy is of course fantastic, especially the FA Cup, as it is a lot of years that we didn’t win it.

"You can see the happiness of the fans - I’m not in the streets so much, but I went to the hairdresser and I saw it. The cars are stopping and people want to take pictures again.

“There is a big arousal among the fans. It is nice to see they are hungry to get the FA Cup, but still we have to beat Everton first.”