Louis van Gaal has ruled out resting players against Crystal Palace in an effort to boost Manchester United’s hopes of winning Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Everton after claiming his team can not afford to waste the opportunity to put pressure on Arsenal in the race for the top four.
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Damien Delaney’s own goal and a fine Matteo Darmian strike did the damage against Palace, but United would have travelled to Wembley buoyed by a grand scoreline were it not for some poor finishing and goalkeeper Julian Speroni’s inspired display.
Second-placed Spurs have enjoyed an outstanding season and are 12 points above United – having played a game more – but Van Gaal insists there is not a lot between the two sides.
“I use every player because not every player has a fixed position”, said Van Gaal of his redeployment of Rooney.
“I have told my players after the match that it was a good game”, Van Gaal said.
The Italian has been poor since August but impressed at left-back against Palace, who understandably played like a team disinterested by a Premier League game four days before an FA Cup semi-final. “But we have a full squad of fit players”.
“It is much more important to win this game than it is for Arsenal or City”. “The only remark was that we didn’t score too much goals, because it was a match (that should have had a scoreline) of 5-0, I think”.
Palace put together a fine FA Cup run earlier in the season and booked a semi-final showdown with Watford.
Liverpool’s win increased the pressure on Everton boss Roberto Martinez, who is now out to 9/4 to still be in charge at Goodison on the first day of next season. “I believe in young players, and at all my clubs I have given them a chance, even when I started out at AZ Alkmaar”.
Manager Alan Pardew conceded that many of his players had their attention turned towards the cup this weekend.
“I want three points”, said Van Gaal.
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Redknapp wrote in the London Evening Standard: “Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is facing the biggest fight to save his job”. Then we have a chance.
