The Red Devils will be looking to close down the gap between themselves and rivals Manchester City when they go against West Ham on Sunday. Van Gaal's men have performed admirably in recent games having lost just once in their last 16 matches. Their run this season points to the fact that the most successful club in the country is in line to make a return to the Champions League next season, whereas United also have a realistic chance of winning a trophy this season having made it to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Van Gaal however has claimed that he will only judge himself and his team by the end of the season and has warned his players of a stern test against West Ham.
"I am only satisfied at the end of the season - to be third and in the next round doesn't count now," he said.
"We are on our way but we have to play a lot of matches still and there are still three to go to the final. That is our goal. We have to wait and see if we reach that goal."
"I said at the beginning of the week, before the game against Leicester, that this shall be an important week, that we had to win all the three matches."
"We beat Leicester to go third, after that we beat Cambridge, so we are in the next round of the FA Cup. Now we have to continue. All the players know that is true.
"But it is not so easy. We have to play away against West Ham. It was a tough game in Manchester. It shall not be easy but we want to continue and if we want that we have to win in London."
West Ham on the other hand have been impressive this season, however with injuries taking their toll Sam Allardyce will have a hard time getting the better of his opposite number. The Hammers have injury concerns over the likes of James Collins, Winston Reid, Guy Demel, Diego Poyet, Doneil Henry and Andy Carroll.
Diafra Sakho on the other hand will be available for selection after West Ham were fined £71,000 for playing the Senegal international during the Africa Cup of Nations, after he pulled out of the competition due to injury concerns.
Van Gaal has a fully fit squad to choose from with the exception of Michael Carrick who will continue to nurse his calf injury.
West Ham vs Manchester United team sheets
West Ham starting XI: Adrian, Jenkinson, Tomkins, Kouyate, Cresswell, Song, Noble, Nolan, Downing, Sakho, Valencia
Manchester United starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Rooney, Di Maria, Januzaj, Van Persie, Falcao
West Ham bench: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Oxford, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Cole, Lee
Manchester United bench: Valdes, Smalling, McNair, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, Wilson
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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