Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was stuck for answers Friday night following his clubs goalless draw with League Two side Cambridge United, but sees his club now favourites to lift the Cup after Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Spurs all crashed out of the competition on Saturday.
The Red Devils face a replay with Cambridge United at Old Trafford, but know they now have the best chance to win the trophy for the first time since 2004.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News after Friday night’s draw van Gaal said: “The FA Cup is very important – it is the most important title for us.
“To win the Premier League is much more difficult now, so the FA Cup is our objective also.”
All in all it must have been a remarkable turn of events for LVG watching City lose 0-2 to Middlesbrough at the Etihad, while Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea suffered their biggest ever home loss under the Portuguese manager losing 4-2 at home to Bradford City.
Southampton’s 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace means that United are the highest placed Premier League side left in the competition.
The holders Arsenal travel to Brighton on Sunday, with Liverpool now facing a replay against Bolton wanderers after a goalless draw at Anfield.
The Dutchman added: “I’m very happy we’re still in the FA Cup.
“Okay, we have to play another match, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing because this season we don’t play in European competitions so it’s good we have an extra game in February.”
