Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that he would far sooner win the FA Cup than the Europa League this season.

The Dutch manager's revelations are sure to cause angst among the Old Trafford hierarchy as the team lie six points outside the Premier League top-four with 12-games left this season. Winning the Europa League would guarantee United a spot in next season's Champions League.

Van Gaal was speaking ahead of Manchester United's Europa League Round-of-32 clash with Midtjylland when he made the revelations. "I have already won the Uefa Cup and I want to win a title in England. That is why I have come to this country, to make Manchester United champions or give them a title. I understand, for Manchester United it is much more important to win the Europa League because it will give us the Champions League."

United are in a strong position in the FA Cup. They travel to Shrewsbury in the Fifth Round on Monday, with a place in the Sixth Round looking all but guaranteed. The three-time European Champions last competed in the Europa League in 2012, when they were knocked out by Athletic Bilbao in the Round-of-16.