The veteran Dutch boss claims Arsenal will face a Red Devils side boasting the best camaraderie he has never known since arriving at the club following two convincing wins
Louis van Gaal admits he has never known his Manchester United dressing room to be so confident as they prepare to host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
The United boss feels the atmosphere in the United camp after the 5-1 Europa League victory over FC Midtjylland on Thursday was the best he has experienced in his time at Old Trafford.
But ahead of the visit of Arsene Wenger's side, the former Barcelona boss is fully aware of the size of the task his team faces.
"I have seen the dressing room never like this on Thursday," he told reporters. "Not only the players who played, not only the bench, but also the players who are injured.
"They were all there and they were all laughing and talking with each other and were happy.
"Normally I would expect this to give a lot of confidence but we have to play against one of the best teams in the Premier League, I have said that already a lot of times.
"It’s a challenge on Sunday, more than a challenge, because we have to play within two days [of the Midtjylland win] and that’s also difficult, but I think the recovery shall go better than ever."
The veteran Dutch coach is hoping to welcome back a number of key players for Sunday’s encounter, including David de Gea and Chris Smalling, while Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini could also feature after respective foot and muscle injuries.
And Anthony Martial, who picked up a hamstring injury in the warm-up on Thursday, will start ahead of Rashford if he can prove his fitness.
"[Martial’s injury] is not so heavy as everybody thinks, but you never know," he added. "Rashford will be an option if he is recovered. I don’t know if he will, because it was his first game, so it’s not so easy.
"Also Valencia is coming back, Fellaini is coming back, and in the month of March a lot of players are coming back and then we’ll have a strong selection again. Therefore, this match is very important for a lot of players.
"Marcos Rojo shall not play, coming off the bench maybe, but I cannot risk him. I am a long-term coach."
The 64-year-old was quick to deny claims that his side have been inconsistent this term despite the regular setbacks which have hindered his side’s progress.
"That’s football. You can win, lose or play a draw. Only the media is inconsistent, that’s different. It is the media," he said.
"At Sunderland we didn’t lose because of the media, no, that is true. But the media makes it bigger than it is.
"Manchester City lost 5-1 against Chelsea, and what was said then? It was their second team? And what am I doing now?! We didn’t lose with the second team, that’s the difference.
"You have to analyse the results of Manchester United. We only lost one game 3-0, to Arsenal, and they are on another level.
"It is not normal that you have 14 injured players. Nevertheless, we are still in three competitions, and we have a lot to fight for.
"We are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, we are in the next round of the Europa League, we are fifth in the Premier League. So it’s not so bad as some media are saying to the fans.
"When I walk the streets in my village, they are all positive so that keeps me always in a good spirit. The fans are telling mostly the truth, not always in the stadium because then people are doing something and they follow, but in the streets when it is one-against-one they are better."
- Goal