Louis van Gaal believes winning the Europa League or the FA Cup is more important than finishing in the top four of the Premier League for Manchester United.
United currently sit fifth in the table, while they are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the last 16 of the Europa League where they will face West Ham and Liverpool respectively.
Finishing in the top four will secure Champions League football for United next season, but this can also be achieved by winning the Europa League.
Regardless, Van Gaal feels winning silverware should always be the priority.
“The target is winning the Europa League and of course Manchester United have not won the Europa League,” Van Gaal said.
“It should be fantastic for Manchester United and the fans when you win a title but also the last time they won the FA Cup was many, many years ago so that would also be fantastic.
“A title is always worth more than fourth position but the Champions League is our aim, so that is why the Europa League is very important or the fourth position in the table.”
United’s form is improving, with the team winning their last four games but Van Gaal acknowledged his side have a long way to go if they are to achieve their objectives for the season.
When asked about United’s upturn in form, Van Gaal said: “I don’t think there is any change. When you see we have closed the gap a little bit, your belief shall raise.
“I tell my players they first have to believe in it. I believe but the most important thing is that the players believe. Still, we have to beat West Brom and that is not easy.”
One player who has made a contribution to United’s recent victories is teenage striker Marcus Rashford, with four goals in his three senior appearances to date.
Van Gaal urged the media last week not to heap too much pressure on the 18-year-old but he was back in the headlines earlier this week when Roy Hodgson refused to rule the striker in or out of selection for Euro 2016.
The Dutchman bristled when those comments were put to him, although the United boss underlined his belief that quality is more important than experience.
“I think that Mr Hodgson has answered the question of the media and now you are asking again,” he said. “Who is paying a lot of attention to that? It is the media; it is not Hodgson or I. We have to answer the questions.
“This is my answer to you – you are putting the question and then you are saying Hodgson is telling something. No, he is answering questions.”
When asked again whether England recognition would be too much, too soon for Rashford, Van Gaal added: “It is never too early. I have said it also a lot of times in my press conferences.
“Age is not important, I have said that. Maybe you remember that? Age is not important, it is the quality.”
There is good news for United on the injury front as Van Gaal confirmed Bastian Schweinsteiger, Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones are nearing first-team returns, while Ashley Young is expected back later this month.
Van Gaal said: “Valencia is coming back and training with the first team, as is Fellaini.
“He (Schweinsteiger) is also coming back in March. Jones shall train with the first team next week and Schweinsteiger may do this also.
“They are coming back, but they then have to be fit to play. But if I don’t have to take a risk, then I won’t.
“They are coming back, but normally they cannot play a match because the rhythm of the game is much higher. So, we have to train more and let them play in the second team.
“Maybe because I’m forced because of the circumstances to take a risk, like I have done with Marcos Rojo, but when I’m not forced to then I shall not do that.” – Skysports.
