David May: Man United need to finish in top four or win FA Cup

David May believes that Manchester United need to finish in the top four or win the FA Cup to have a successful first season under Louis van Gaal.

The Red Devils face League One side Preston North End at Deepdale on Monday night, looking to secure the final place in the quarter-final draw.

If we can get in the top four, it will be a decent season for us

David May

Van Gaal’s side are in third place in the Premier League table despite a series of unconvincing performances against Leicester City, West Ham United and Burnley.

Speaking exclusively to The Sport Review, Champions League winner May thinks United are out of the Premier League title race this season, but would be happy with a top-four finish and silverware.

“We’re 12 points away, so it’s going to be tough, but the main thing is to make sure we get the top four,” May told The Sport Review. “If not, we have to win the FA Cup, which is a great day out.”

May, a two-times Premier League champion with the Red Devils, added that United are embroiled in a very competitive race to secure a return to the Champions League.

“It’s going to be tough, we’ve got Liverpool behind us, Spurs, Arsenal, Southampton have done fantastic this season,” he continued.

“Then there are the top two teams who will be fighting for the championship, Chelsea and City. If we can get in the top four, it will be a decent season for us.”

The 44-year-old played under two of the greatest British managers, Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson, during his 16-year playing career.

The Scottish duo were known for creating attacking dynasties at the clubs that they managed, so unsurprisingly, May is at odds with Van Gaal’s current system which has failed to produce exciting football.

“The fans want to see more attacking football,” May added.

“We’ve got the most stats in the Premier League for side passes and going backwards and that’s not really a United philosophy, we like to attack.”