We must win the Cup, says Van Gaal

LOUIS VAN GAAL admits that Manchester United need to win the FA Cup against Crystal Palace tomorrow. United’s Cup final triumph over Palace in 1990 was the launch pad for Sir Alex Ferguson’s era of dominance, but they have not won a trophy since the Scot retired in 2013. Van Gaal (below) claimed that lifting the FA Cup for the first time in 12 years would be more important than qualifying for Europe, having missed out on the Champions League this season. He said: ‘A club like Manchester United need silverware. We need that and the players need that also. ‘When you win silverware it is always important. Qualification is not a title, a title is the FA Cup or a championship. ‘For players it is very important. They can look and hold the cup. That is an exciting moment, especially here in England. ‘It’s always exciting when you are so close, but close is not winning. First we have to win and then you can say it’s the first title after the period of Alex Ferguson.’ The Cup final could also have a bearing on Van Gaal’s future at Old Trafford, but he insisted that United’s needs are more important than his own. ‘It is not good to speak about my interest, it is good to speak about the interest of the club,’ he added. ‘I think the fans are more concerned about the title (trophy) than I am.’

MANCHESTER UNITED will stay next door to Wembley tonight to avoid any more London traffic chaos before the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

Louis van Gaal and his players will travel down by train this afternoon and check into the Wembley Hilton, just yards from the venue for tomorrow’s final.

The decision follows problems United have encountered twice in the space of a month which forced the kick-off for their recent away games at Tottenham and West Ham to be delayed. The match at Spurs started half an hour late after United hit congestion on the nine-mile route from the Corinthia Hotel to White Hart Lane.

They had more problems 10 days ago on the journey between the Hilton Canary Wharf and Upton Park as the team bus was attacked by local fans throwing bottles, causing the kick-off to be delayed.

But United stayed at Wembley for the semi-final win over Everton and will do so again tonight.