Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes Ryan Giggs is the front-runner to replace Louis van Gaal.
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A defiant Louis van Gaal insisted that Manchester United can still win the Premier League title despite losing to Bournemouth on Saturday. I am not in favour of sacking managers – not in mid-season, at any rate – but I know that a lot of United fans have had enough. He is a successful coach with a great track record and that is why he was given the job, but he needs to win something at United soon.
Bournemouth toppled United 2-0 in 1984’s FA Cup under Harry Redknapp, with current boss Howe admitting he perhaps undervalued that achievement in cherishing his side’s victory over Chelsea last week.
Former Red Devils defender, Rio Ferdinand described the club’s drop into the Europa League as “embarrassing”, while other former United players Michael Owen and Paul Scholes were also critical of Van Gaal. They’ll be disappointed to be out of Champions League but they’ve got the Europa League to go for. And I speak from experience, having won it with Atletico Madrid.
“I had the feeling we could win but (on) the second set-play they scored again and then it is very hard to equalise because Bournemouth is fighting together and pressing always”, Van Gaal said.
“It is always very disappointing when you are at the top of the table when you lose to a club at the bottom of the table. It is also hard for Manchester City and Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea or Leicester”.
“Pace is such an important thing in any league but even more so in the Premier League so I think those two players (King and Stanislas) have had a huge impact in just changing the balance of the team”.
“When you say that I am hired to make the difference, you are right”, he said.
“Because of the injuries, we have to play with a lot of youngsters, but I have to say that the youngsters have played well, especially Cameron Borthwick-Jackson”.
“In spite of the early goal, we came on very well in the match, scored an equaliser and we created more chance to score a second goal”. Speaking at a pre-match conference, Van Gaal said the increased wealth and competition in England means Manchester United can not stroll over opponents like the Sir Alex Ferguson era. “I’ll challenge the players and we shall come back”. I can’t see how it’s going to get better now.
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Van Gaal refused to blame injuries on the defeat and concluded: “Paddy McNair had cramp, he didn’t play so much this season and with Jesse Lingard it is a second time in a short time so we will have to see”.
