Louis Van Gaal Ready To Disappoint Squad Members

 

Louis van Gaal is delighted to have a largely fit and healthy squad ahead of this Saturday's FA Cup semi-final but admits he will have to tell a number of his players that they are surplus to requirements for the tea time fixture at Wembley.

Bastian Schweinsteiger will miss the remainder of the season, while Luke Shaw is yet to reach full fitness following his recovery from a broken leg. Otherwise, the Manchester United manager will have a sizeable first team squad to choose from, as the Reds prepare to face Everton in the capital. The Dutchman said “Everyone wants to play in a semi-final. I must select 18 players and I have 24 who are fit, so I have to disappoint six of them”.

Van Gaal refuses to differentiate between United's dual ambitions in the FA Cup and Premier League, in which they are still chasing a Champions League berth next season. Asked about his preference, Van Gaal said “It is not for me to judge. I have said this already. I do my utmost best. We are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and are in the race for the fourth position and that was our aim”.

He also believes a good squad should combine experience with youth saying “The younger players are always a stimulus in the group and that is very important. I think also that you have to have a mix of older and younger players in your team. When I was at Bayern it was Muller, at Barcelona it was Xavi and Iniesta. I have lots of examples”