Shoot! Van Gaal yells as Rashford helps fire Man Utd into FA Cup semi-final
LOUIS VAN GAAL revealed he had yelled “shoot” from the touchline as Marcus Rashford saved his manager’s job by helping to fire Manchester United into the FA Cup semi-finals.Rashford scored United’s first goal and Marouane Fellaini netted the second, as United booked a last four place against Everton at Wembley on April 23.
Van Gaal had been under major pressure going into last night’s final FA Cup tie at Upton Park and said: “Rashford’s was a great goal. I was behind him on the bench. I saw his view. I saw the gap and shouted “Shoot!” – but to do it was difficult. It was a great goal.
“He has that quality and can score goals. He is very focused and I admire that in someone so young. He gets so much attention now but copes with the attention. And he can cope with criticism.”
The United boss has never coached at Wembley but said: “For me it is a desire to win a trophy – but I’m not important. The club is important and the players. You cannot deny that my team has fighting spirit.“I do my best, my utmost. Everywhere I have been I have won something. That is why I am here, selected by Manchester United. Not because I am a lousy coach.”
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic admitted United were the better side. “We started well but you can’t play at that level over 90 minutes,” he said. “They were stronger and quicker. It is a huge disappointment.”
“It is not what we wanted of course, but we gave our best. They were better tonight in the majority of the game. We had energy and commitment but they were killing us with ball possession.
“Apart from the first 15 minutes and final 20 they were the better side and we have to admit it.
“We are fighting to finish as high as possible in the league, we have seven big games coming. This is a big disappointment. It takes out a bit of energy and motivation but we still have a big thing to play for. We are going to bounce back.”
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