The former Liverpool defender says the cup could help provide United with belief.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has written in his column for the Daily Mail that the FA Cup could be crucial for Manchester United.
Louis Van Gaal’s side take on holders Arsenal on Monday with the competition representing their only chance of silverware this year after exiting the Capital One Cup at the hands of MK Dons and not participating in Europe.
Now, Carragher has said that winning the trophy, which United haven’t won since 2004, and guiding his team back into the Champions League at the first time of asking, could provide Van Gaal and his team with huge momentum for next season.
“There is also the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsene Wenger’s men on Monday, which could be crucial to helping them achieve their aim,” wrote Carragher.
“The FA Cup will be second on Van Gaal’s priority list but if he was able to deliver silverware, as well as steering them into the top four, it would provide everyone around United – players, supporters, directors – with huge belief going forward.”
The former defender turned pundit also says that wining the FA Cup might be one of the only opportunities the former Barcelona coach gets to win at Old Trafford, given his management record.
The Dutchman is well known for not staying in posts for much longer than three years, mostly as a result of his somewhat ‘intense’ nature and his manner of doing things the way he wants and sticking to it.
“Van Gaal is a manager who doesn’t tend to last longer than three years in jobs, given the intense way he works and how he is with his players,” added Carragher.
“He might not have too many opportunities to get his hands on that particular trophy, which United have not won since 2004. But if he leads them into the Champions League, he will have achieved his aim for the season. If he adds the FA Cup, his first year in Manchester will be a big success.”
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