Van Gaal Reflects On FA Cup Win

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hailed Wednesday night's "fantastic" Emirates FA Cup sixth-round replay win over West Ham United at Upton Park. Here are the key points from his post-match interviews with MUTV and BBC Sport...

The result
"It was fantastic – I am happy, I’m happy for the players, the club and the fans. Of course it’s a big result and I think we played very well. We played defensively very well – we didn't give so much away. They lost the ball a lot of times and I believe with a bit more composure we could have finished it much earlier. I said at half-time we had to show composure in the third and fourth phase. We did that better but I still believe we could have finished the game earlier. At the end it was, of course, not so nice but we are the winners, so it’s fantastic."

The performance
"When you see the match, we controlled the game for 85 minutes and then suddenly they scored the goal through the kick of Payet, the head of Carroll and of Tomkins – it was also quality. At that time it changed the match but David De Gea saved us. It was a fantastic night."

Marcus Rashford’s goal
"It was a fantastic goal. I was behind him when he dribbled and saw the opening in the corner and thought 'shoot!'. He did it and it’s more difficult to do it than to shout it!"

Marouane Fellaini’s display
"I liked his performance but I have to say that Fellaini always does great. He wants to perform what we have agreed and that I like of him. He had a great game also and scored an important goal, even if it was a little bit lucky."

David De Gea
"We kept him and that is because he is one of the best you can imagine. I am very happy with him."

Reaching the semi-finals
"It [Upton Park] is a difficult place to come – they haven’t lost here since August; it was difficult because they have beaten all the top teams here. After the [Europa League] defeat at Liverpool, the next game was against West Ham in the FA Cup; we were 1-0 down and fought until the end for 1-1. The spirit in the team is very good, you cannot deny that. It was a fantastic result and I’m happy I shall go to Wembley as a manager."

Managing at Wembley
"I have played and been there as a coach of the Dutch national team when we played against England in 2000, I think. Now it’s a new stadium, different for me so I’m very happy. Now we have to reach the final – then I will be even more happy."

The importance of winning the FA Cup
"It is not important for me; it is important for the club, for the players and for the team. I said I wanted a title and I am very happy but it is very important for the club."