Louis Van Gaal fires dig at Manchester United owners after being fired despite a good campaign

Louis van Gaal has advised Manchester United to continue working with Erik ten Hag, but concedes that his colleague has caused a few of his own issues. Ten Hag's fate remains uncertain as the Old Trafford leadership conducts an end-of-season evaluation. The former Ajax boss, who was persuaded by Van Gaal not to take the United post in 2022, guided the Red Devils towards their lowest English Premier League result in history last season, finishing eighth in the standings.

Their dreadful season finished on a happy note, however, when Ten Hag's side stunned arch neighbours Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium last month. That has left United fans divided on his future, and Van Gaal, who understands what it would be like to be fired by the club following an FA Cup final victory, has given Ten Hag his support.

While talking to Sky Sports, he said, "Of course (he shouldn't be sacked). But I needed also more time at Manchester United. I also won the FA Cup and before me for 20 years (no United manager) has got the FA Cup.”

The former Netherlands manager added that, "Now Erik is winning the FA Cup and also first year qualifying for the Champions League so I don’t think you have to sack him. He needs more time but I can also be more critical. He has not done it fantastically - you can give criticism - but he has also shown he is a good manager.

“I go anywhere else and I go and keep winning trophies” : Erik Ten Hag

Ten Hag attributes United's decline to the club's dreadful injury record this season, with key individuals such as Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw amongst those who have missed extended periods of time on many occasions. Ratcliffe announced prior to last month's final meeting that he was already going to fire Ten Hag, and he responded strongly after the game.

The former Ajax manager had said, "When you don't have the players available, then you can't perform, so simple as that," the 54-year-old argued. "And if that is the opinion, it is no problem. Then I go anywhere else and I go and keep winning trophies."