Van Gaal encouraged by Cup preparations

Louis van Gaal has been encouraged by his side's preparations for Manchester United’s Emirates FA Cup fourth-round meeting with Derby County, with the manager believing it could be an optimum time to play the Rams.
Paul Clement’s men, who lie fifth in the Championship, had been on a long unbeaten run but, since the end of 2015, have only won once in six games.

The Reds, meanwhile, are determined to bounce back from defeat to Southampton and van Gaal has been pleased with how plans for the cup tie have gone in the last few days.
Asked whether it has been a difficult week, the boss told MUTV: “Yes, it is difficult with the pressure, also for the players, and I don’t want that to be a big influence on the confidence of the players. That’s my concern. But we are training very well so I cannot see that it is any different and I hope we shall show it at the right time, and that time is when we play against Derby County.
“They are near the top of the Championship but have also had a very bad period. They had a very good period when they had a row of 18 matches and only lost one but, now in the last five matches, they are not so victorious anymore. Maybe it’s the right time to play against them but, of course, when they play against Manchester United, they have nothing to lose.”
The Reds will take the biggest travelling support with them this season to the IPro Stadium - 5,472 fans to be precise – and van Gaal believes they can have a big influence on the players.
“The fans always have an impact and they always have a very positive impact on the players because I think they have supported United always,” added van Gaal.