Louis van Gaal 'proud' after United 'fought to the end'

Louis van Gaal was delighted with the resolve his 10-man Manchester United side showed after they came from behind against Crystal Palace to win the 2016 Emirates FA Cup Final.

Substitute Jason Puncheon fired Palace ahead on 78 minutes, but Juan Mata levelled just three minutes later.

United centre back Chris Smalling was dismissed in extra-time after picking up a second yellow card, but Jesse Lingard volleyed home a superb winner in the 110th minute.

United have suffered a number of injuries throughout the season – they had 14 players crocked during November and December – and Marcus Rashford limped off in the second half at Wembley.

But van Gaal said: “It was unbelievable that injuries, again, were there.

“In spite of that, and in spite of [being] down to 10 players, we showed a spirit that we have showed on the road to the Final. We do fight to the end.

“Against Sheffield United at home we scored in the last minute. Against West Ham United we were behind at home and we scored in the last minutes of the game, and then we won away.

“Against Everton we [scored the winner] in the last minute.

“We proved that, again, in a Final, with 10 players against 11, you can be very proud as the Manchester United manager and players and as a fan.

“It was a beautiful goal from Jesse. That was fantastic. We had hit the post and the bar so I think we deserved it.”

It was United’s first trophy since their Premier League triumph in 2013 - and their first FA Cup win since 2004 - and van Gaal said he was honoured to be the first United manager to win silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

He added: “In spite of the many injuries this season we were still in the race [for a Champions League place] and now we have lifted the Cup. That’s a title.

“It was three years ago that United [last] had a title and I’m very proud that I am the first manager after the period of Sir Alex Ferguson [to win a trophy].”