Ex-United star lays into Van Gaal – but says he can’t be sacked

Former Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis has blasted Louis van Gaal for not “understanding English football” – but says the Dutchman should only see his job come up for review at the end of the season.

United are struggling under Van Gaal and are without a win in their last six games.

And Van Gaal appears to be cracking under the pressure, walking out of his press conference on Wednesday after just five minutes.

The 64-year-old asked reporters to apologise for speculating about his future, and said the media needed to stick to the “facts”.

But former winger Kanchelskis insists Van Gaal doesn’t understand English football, and isn’t cut out to be the manager of Manchester United.

“I am disappointed with the way United are playing,” Kanchelskis said.

“Under Alex Ferguson, we played in a more attacking style of football and played in a 4-4-2. Van Gaal sees things differently. This is not a head coach for Manchester United.

“I just don’t think that Van Gaal understands English football. A team needs to have leaders, like Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, who can give the right things at the necessary moment and can show their leadership qualities.

“The coach does not want this and this is the reason for such disastrous results.”

Kanchelskis stopped short of saying Van Gaal should be sacked, however. Instead the former Russian international believes United should wait until the end of the season before making a decision.

He said: “Chelsea have already made a stupid mistake in sacking [Jose] Mourinho. Manchester City are also close to making the same mistake.

“Van Gaal needs to be given until the end of the season and then a decision should be made.”