Manchester United face Sheffield United in the third round tie of the Emirates FA Cup. The game will kick off at 17:30 GMT tomorrow at Old Trafford. Manchester United hasn’t won any FA Cup titles in the last 12 years. Manager Louis van Gaal spoke about the club’s drought saying, ‘’I don’t think this is crazy as that is football, you can win some and you can lose some. I think the FA Cup is very difficult to win and we have seen that already last year when we play against Yeovil and Cambridge United. Every match is difficult to win, no matter what level you have to compete with.”
Adnan Januzaj was recalled by the English giants yesterday following his unsuccessful loan spell at Borussia which was terminated midway. Van Gaal began his pre-match press conference at the Aon Training Complex by reiterating his earlier point to MUTV that Adnan Januzaj has a “second chance” to show his quality at United, with the boss also telling reporters “he would be better training with us here to show his talent in the first team” rather than being on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Van Gaal was also asked how Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia are progressing with their injuries. “All three are going very well. Shaw and Valencia also had a holiday break and they have come back very brightly and they have the spirit to continue so that’s very good. Rojo was here and shall also have a break at the end of January when it is possible for him. But it is going very well’’, he said.
Talking about Ashley Young, the gaffer said, ‘’”He is not injured, he is overloaded and in the red zone. More players are in the red zone and we have to decide if they can play against Sheffield United or not.”
There was some good news though as van Gaal confirmed that Jesse Lingard is fit again following a hamstring injury: “He has trained fully this week so he is ready.” Talking about injuries, LvG said “Phil Jones is injured and a lot of players are in the red zone,” said the boss, in reference to some other Reds not being completely at full fitness.