"Everyone shall say Manchester United have to win against Shrewsbury Town. For the players it is fantastic because we are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup,” he said.
"We are in all the competitions, just six points behind Manchester City, we have a lot of chances, a lot of titles to fight for. It isn't easy because we have to win a lot of games but it is still possible.
“We have seen very difficult results in the FA Cup, not always the top team is winning. So I think we have done it fantastically, I have congratulated my players.”
Van Gaal revealed that United’s second goal, a free kick from Juan Mata, was copied from Midtjylland.
Anthony Martial, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard all lined up in the wall to block the view of Shrewsbury goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, bur the goal was allowed to stand by referee Robert Madley.
Van Gaal said: “We have learned because we analysed Midtjylland and saw that they are doing that. We think it's always offside, but we asked the referees at that time and they are saying not offside, you can do that.
"So we learned the taking of the free-kick from Midtjylland and today we scored. That's good."
Van Gaal is now turning his attention to the second leg against the Danish minnows at Old Trafford as United bid to turn around a 2-1 deficit.
“It's in my opinion a big game because it's a chance to qualify for the Champions League next season,” he said.
“We have to beat Midtjylland because it also possible to beat them. But it is not easy because Midtjylland are very well organised, we have seen that in the away game.
“But it is possible and then we'll see. I think in March a lot of players are coming back and then we'll have a full selection, and with our full selection we were first in the Premier League.”
- Telegraph