United's last hope of silverware in 2014-15 went up in smoke on Monday as former striker Danny Welbeck netted the winner in a 2-1 triumph for the Gunners at Old Trafford.
That was only United's second defeat in their past 11 matches in all competitions and followed back-to-back league victories over Sunderland and Newcastle United.
Van Gaal, though, insists he has seen a good reaction in training and is hopeful of gaining some momentum against Mauricio Pochettino's men.
"I have the same confidence of reaching the top four as before," he said.
"I'm very pleased with the reaction and I hope we can show that against Spurs - the first of 10 matches in the rat race."
United must once more make do without striker Robin van Persie (ankle), although Marcos Rojo (knock) should be fit to play.
If Rojo is unavailable it will leave Van Gaal short at the back as fellow defender Jonny Evans again misses out after his six-match ban for spitting at Newcastle's Papiss Cisse. Angel di Maria is also suspended after being sent off against Arsenal.
Tottenham travel to Manchester seeking a third consecutive victory over United at Old Trafford, which would move them level on points with Van Gaal's men.
Before those successes Spurs had not triumphed at Old Trafford since 1989 and head coach Pochettino insists his team have the right mentality to return to London with all three points once again.
"We believe we can win," he said. "You never think before a game that it is possible to lose.
"You are always focusing on getting the three points and are never thinking about losing.
"Our pressure is inside us, in the group. We want to win every game.
"Maybe Manchester United has history, but our mentality is to compete and try to win the game. Man United is not my problem."
Pochettino, whose team have won back-to-back matches since losing the League Cup final to London rivals Chelsea, has no new injuries to contend with.
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