United Seeking Gains From 2 Capital Trips

Manchester United face two huge tests in London in the space of four days as Louis van Gaal's men fight to maintain a challenge for a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League and clinch a place in the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals.

TOTTENHAM v UNITED, BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE, SUNDAY 10 APRIL (16:00 BST)

The Reds approach the consecutive capital clashes on the back of two successive 1-0 victories in the North West, away to Manchester City and at home to Everton, but Sunday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur will obviously be a tough assignment with the hosts still harbouring hopes of pipping Leicester City to the league title.

United and Spurs last met on the opening day of this 2015/16 season, when a Kyle Walker own goal settled a tight August affair in favour of the home side at Old Trafford. The Reds can also take confidence from an excellent unbeaten run at White Hart Lane - 14 games without defeat, including draws in the last three - and the clean sheets which have been kept in all of van Gaal's three clashes with Spurs, home or away.

The manager told the Sunday newspapers: "We have to win our remaining games because we are dependable on our competitors. If we win all the games and City do too then we cannot close the gap. The same thing is true of Arsenal who normally win. Now we have to play an away game against Tottenham which will be very difficult to win, my players and I are aware of that, but we are able to beat them. Why? Because we have showed that against the other top teams in this league."

WEST HAM v UNITED, EMIRATES FA CUP, WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL (19:00 BST)

The hosts' impressive home record suggests the sixth-round replay will provide a severe examination of the Reds' credentials, with a Wembley semi-final against Everton being the prize at stake. United have not won the FA Cup since 2004, last reached the final in 2007 and have not visited the famous stadium since winning the Community Shield in David Moyes's first competitive game in charge in August 2013.

The Reds are unbeaten in the last five trips to West Ham, with Daley Blind's injury-time equaliser rescuing a point on the most recent occasion in February 2015. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic may have been confident of progressing after the 1-1 draw in last month's initial meeting at Old Trafford but there is a realisation within the United camp that this is a great opportunity to match Arsenal at the top of the lists of FA Cup winners and appearances in finals. After all, United are the highest-ranked side left in the competition with Crystal Palace (16th) and Watford (14th) contesting the other last-four tie.

Jesse Lingard told ManUtd.com: "West Ham away will be another good game and I think it will be the last-ever cup match at their current ground.

"It’s always good to be in the FA Cup," the in-form midfielder added. "The competition has a special feeling that I’ve never really experienced before, as this is the first season I’ve been involved in it.

"If we win the FA Cup, it would be a massive achievement. We’ve not won it for a number of years but I think we can do it this time. I’ve not played at Wembley before so that could be another personal achievement for me."

The next two games in London are huge ones for Manchester United and, as always, the team will be backed to the hilt by tremendous away support. The outcome of the capital contests will go a long way to determining if the Reds can finish the season on a real high.