Former Netherlands international Patrick Kluivert has suggested that Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal deserves more respect than Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola because of what he achieved with his former clubs.
Van Gaal won the Champions League with Ajax and also enjoyed much success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but he has received much criticism from both supporters and the media this season, with United having suffered a series of setbacks, the most recent of which came on Thursday as his side were knocked out of the Europa League by rivals Liverpool.
Although a 1-0 win at the Etihad will help the Dutchman’s plight, speculation linking Mourinho to Old Trafford does not seem to be subsiding, but Kluivert believes that United should keep faith with his compatriot.
Kluivert told the Daily Mail: “I know Van Gaal very well. The situation will have affected him and it has been difficult for me to watch because we still have a close bond. He’s a proud man and he wouldn’t have expected to struggle so much at United.
“The people in charge knew what kind of coach they took on, what he achieved with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
“I hope he can stay next year but things are getting difficult.
“It’s a pity the Premier League hasn’t seen the quality of Van Gaal. Results haven’t been as pleasant as people expect if you have a budget of £300 million. It’s not easy.”
United have just one more opportunity of winning a trophy this season, with Van Gaal’s side still active in the FA Cup. They face West Ham United away in a quarter-final replay, with the winners of that game facing Everton in the semi-finals.
Kluivert continued: “Van Gaal deserves to be respected the same as Jose and Pep, maybe even more. He started in the game before them and he has helped make them big, as players and coaches. They both owe Van Gaal their thanks. He was there for them at the start.”
Securing a top-four finish in the Premier League looks much more viable after yesterday’s win at the Etihad, courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s first-half strike, as United now sit just one point behind City in fourth.
Although, United have struggled for consistency since Van Gaal took charge and have often failed to create much in an attacking sense.
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