Both the sides are unlikely to challenge Chelsea and Man City for the league title and the FA Cup might be their only realistic chance of landing a silverware this season. Both Arsenal and Man United have been very inconsistent this season but still find themselves in the top four, separated by just a single point.
Both the sides have lost just once in their last five matches in all competitions and have won the remaining four. Arsenal's solitary defeat during the period came at the hands of Monaco, whereas Swansea inflicted defeat on the Red Devils when the two side met at the Liberty Stadium last month.
Arsenal were against QPR in their last match, which they won by a 2-1 score line. The Gunners appeared comfortable for the majority of the game until a late strike from Charlie Austin resulted in a nervy ending to the match. Man United on the other hand were disappointing against Newcastle but were able to secure all three points after Tim Krul's miscued clearance landed on Ashley Young's feet who buried the ball into the net.
Despite of having made this far in the competition, Van Gaal has insisted that finishing in the top four will be a bigger achievement for his side rather than winning the domestic cup.
"When you win the FA Cup you are not in the Champions League, but you have won a title [cup]," he told reporters.
"For the players, that's fantastic, and for the manager that's fantastic, but our goal is to reach, in our first year together, a place in the Champions League.
"The Champions League is the highest level. To finish in the first four is a fantastic result I think, and for Manchester United more."
The Dutch tactician is however hopeful of a win against Arsenal which he believes can build a momentum for the rest of the season.
"Monday is very important because every match that you play carries an influence into the next match," he added.
"After the defeat at Swansea City, we’ve won two matches. We have a good feeling now.
"That's what I am saying. I want to get the goals that we have set and the goal we have set is the first [top] four."
Both teams have defensive absentees coming into the match. Arsenal will be without January signing Gabriel Paulista who sustained a hamstring injury in the match against QPR. Jonny Evans on the other hand will begin the first of his six match suspension after being involved in a spitting incident with Papiss Cisse.
Monday's encounter will also mark the return of Danny Welbeck to Old Trafford for the first time since securing a move to the Emirates in the summer transfer window.
Team sheets for Man United vs Arsenal
Man Utd's lineup: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Herrera, Di Maria, Fellaini, Young, Rooney
Arsenal's lineup: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck.
Man Utd's subs: Valdes, Rafael, Jones, Carrick, Januzaj, Mata, Falcao.
Arsenal's subs: Martinez, Gibbs, Chambers, Ramsey, Giroud, Walcott, Akpom.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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