Manchester United vs Everton: LVG admits Champions League qualification key even if they triumph in FA Cup

Louis van Gaal has indicated that an FA Cup triumph for Manchester United this season can make the 2015/16 campaign look a successful one, but has reiterated his desire to qualify for the Champions League for which they are in a battle with Manchester City and Arsenal. The Red Devils face Everton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday (23 April) and are the favourites to make the summit clash at the same venue on 21 May.

The 20-time English champions have not won the famous old trophy for 12 year and will be keen to end their barren run, which has seen them go trophy-less the last two seasons. The Dutch manager's future at the club has come into question a number of times during the course of the campaign, and a number of reports suggest that he will be replaced by Jose Mourinho next season.

The former Bayern Munich manager's standing at the club is sure to come into question if they fail to qualify for the Europe's elite club competition next season. They are currently in the fifth place, two points behind Manchester City in fourth and four points behind Arsenal in third, but have just four games to salvage one of the places.

"I think it is always a success when you win a title. But for the club it is more important to qualify for the Champions League because we have to show ourselves at the highest level. That is also our aim," Van Gaal said, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.

"Always when you win a title it represents what Manchester United stands for. We have had a period of a lot of titles and we want to bring it back."

"And when you win the FA Cup, you have a title and a very respectable title and in England more than in other countries," he added.

David de Gea, meanwhile, has given his backing to the manager and revealed that the he has a good understanding with the Dutchman. The Spanish goalkeeper was close to moving to Real Madrid last summer, but the Red Devils held on to him, and it has proved to be the best decision made by the club. He has been instrumental in keeping United challenging in the FA Cup and in the Premier League with innumerable match saving performances.

"It's good. He's really a strong character but he works really hard with the team and with his staff and I think it's a good relationship between us," De Gea said, as quoted by the Mirror.