Abu Dhabi: Embattled Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal, needs to win the FA Cup and secure a top-four English Premier League finish to avoid the sack.
That’s the view of United legend Bryan Robson, who insists Ryan Giggs, his former Red Devils teammate and Van Gaal’s assistant, would be the ideal replacement for the Dutchman if he were to depart at the end of the season.
Speaking to Gulf News in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the former midfielder also lauded Jose Mourinho, who according to widespread reports has already agreed a deal to replace Van Gaal in the summer after being sacked by Chelsea in December.
And while not openly critical of Van Gaal, the 59-year-old former United captain made clear his dislike of the ponderous, possession-based football often witnessed from his former side this season.
United lie fifth in the EPL, five points behind Arsenal in fourth place with a game in hand, meaning the Gunners would currently pip them to a place in the final qualifying round for the lucrative Champions League.
United failed to reach the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition this season and exited the Europa League last 16 after bitter rivals Liverpool overcame them comfortably 3-1 on aggregate.
However, potential redemption beckons for Van Gaal after United reached the FA Cup final – where they will play Crystal Palace on May 21 – after beating Everton 1-0 last weekend.
“Does he need to win the FA Cup to avoid being sacked? I think only the owners can answer that question at Man United,” said the 59-year-old Robson, who was promoting a community football project run by United’s shirt sponsors Chevrolet at the Armed Forces Officers Club (AFOC).
“I think it will definitely help Louis van Gaal’s cause if he wins the FA Cup and we do get into that fourth position and get into the Champions League. If we don’t achieve both of those, then I think his job will come under threat.
“I think the fans will have their say as well and put pressure on the owners.”
Robson, who won 11 major honours with United, including two Premier League titles and three FA Cups between 1981 and 1994, said the club’s record appearance-maker Giggs is eminently capable of succeeding Van Gaal.
“Giggsy knows the club inside out. He’s spent all his career there and he’s a determined lad, who knows his own mind.
“You look at [Pep] Guardiola and that’s how he got his chance at Barcelona.
“He’s now acclaimed as one of the best coaches in the world.”
Sir Bobby Charlton, a fellow United icon and a member of the club’s board of directors, has reportedly expressed his reservations about the abrasive Mourinho ever getting the manager’s job.
How does Robson, United’s longest-serving captain for a remarkable 12 years, feel about the tempestuous Portuguese?
“He’s very similar to Louis van Gaal,” he replied. “He’s got a fantastic reputation, got an unbelievable record of winning things at every club he’s been to. For me, I don’t really know him that well.
“On paper, his record is as good as anybody’s as far as winning things with European clubs.”
Robson was even more forthright on the subject of United’s much-maligned tactics, a far cry from the swashbuckling attacking style preached by the greatest manager in their history, Sir Alex Ferguson.
“We’re really not being positive enough on the pitch in a lot of games and it was all possession.
“We’re not really attacking teams and we have got to look at that and try and counter attack quicker than what we have been doing. We need to see how we can be better in possession when we win the ball.”
