Van Gaal: Fans Deserve The Cup

Louis van Gaal says every effort Manchester United make to win Saturday's FA Cup final will be for the club's loyal supporters.

The Reds manager addressed the fans after Tuesday's final home match of the 2015/16 season, thanking them for their "unconditional support".

Speaking at his pre-match press conference before Saturday's Wembley showpiece, van Gaal insisted: "A title for the fans is fantastic and we want to give it to them - I have said that in my speech - because they were always there and in my opinion unconditional. They have never let us down, so they deserve it more than anyone else.

"I have read that the last FA Cup win [for United] was 2004, so it's a long time ago. For Manchester United it is a big title, especially now as it was a long time ago."

Van Gaal was also asked about how important victory would be for his players' self-belief. He replied: "When you win silverware it is always important. It is important for the players because qualification [for the Champions League] is not a title, a title is the FA Cup, it is the championship.

"For players it is important as they can hold the cup and that is an exciting moment. The FA Cup is a big title here in England and we are playing in the most prestigious temple of England [Wembley], so everything confirms how important this cup is."

The United boss also believes beating Crystal Palace to claim a 12th FA Cup overall for the Reds would be a big step forward for the squad's younger members.

"I think that is also why we need matches on this level because it is an education for young players," he added. "You have to win in these games. In one match you can lose a lot. You have to cope with that pressure and that is a step in their development process."

Van Gaal would also like to win the silverware in style, telling reporters: "That is always your starting point - to impress. This is dependable on a lot of factors, including the opponent. You need two attacking sides and then you get a fantastic match.

"The starting point is to play well to win and to score beautiful goals. However, a 1-0 win is also enough because winning is the most important thing in the final. When you lose you have nothing."