Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has stated that securing Champions League football for next season remains his priority, despite the team's upcoming FA Cup match against Arsenal.
The Red Devils are set to face Arsenal on Monday for a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Van Gaal emphasized that his side will give their all against their Premier League rivals.
Van Gaal's primary objective since his appointment has been to finish in the top four, and he reiterated that this goal has not changed. He noted that Manchester United currently occupies fourth place in the league standings, one point behind Arsenal in third and two points ahead of Liverpool, with 10 games remaining in the season.
According to Van Gaal,
"My target at the start of this season was to finish in the top four and that is still my target. If I have a priority, then it is the top four."
He acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match against Arsenal, stating that
"The Arsenal game is very important. Every match you play has an influence on the next match. We are in a rat race in the Premier League and whoever wins the FA Cup game has a good feeling for the next matches."
Van Gaal also agreed with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's assessment that Champions League participation is the highest level for a club, saying
"To finish in the first four is a fantastic result and for us at Manchester United even more I think. If you win the FA Cup you are not in the Champions League but you have won a title."
