Louis van Gaal should not be sacked by Manchester United and deserves more respect, claims former Red Phil Neville

Manchester United are winless in six games in all competitions
Pressure is mounting on manager Louis van Gaal
United were beaten 2-1 by Norwich City at Old Trafford on Saturday

Published:
00:49 GMT, 22 December 2015

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Updated:
02:41 GMT, 22 December 2015

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Former Manchester United defender and coach Phil Neville believes under pressure boss Louis van Gaal should not be sacked by the Old Trafford club.

Van Gaal’s future is in the spotlight having exited the Champions League and following a run of six games without a win, culminating in Saturday’s shocking 2-1 loss at home to Norwich City.

United’s American owners, the Glazer family, and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward are understood to be considering a change and have made contact with representatives of Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea last week, but Neville is against such hasty action.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is under pressure following a dismal run of form

Former United defender Phil Neville insists van Gaal should be in charge for the rest of the season

United players leave the field dejected following their 2-1 defeat by Norwich at Old Trafford on Saturday

‘I hope Manchester United give Louis van Gaal until the end of the season – he’s got the experience – and I hope there’s more respect for managers,’ Neville told Match of the Day 2.

‘I just think it’s disgraceful (and) disrespectful to managers when they’re still in a job and other managers are being talked about for their job.’

Mourinho has already made it clear that he is ready to return to work immediately, having released a statement last week which read, ‘He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn’t tired, he doesn’t need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward.’

Fellow MOTD 2 pundit Martin Keown suggested Mourinho could be the perfect candidate to take over the reins at United.

‘It’s a result business. What’s interesting is the huge pressure that Mourinho causes. Last year’s champion manager is out of a job and sitting waiting in the wings,’ added Keown.

‘United might be the perfect fit for him. When a manager like that is available, of course everybody wants to go for him.’

Neville (right), who is now assistant manager at Valencia, says the club should not sack van Gaal

Manchester United slipped to a third straight defeat against Norwich and are without a win in six games

Van Gaal’s stuttering side were booed off after the Canaries loss to leave United fifth in the Premier League table and nine points adrift of surprise leaders Leicester.

As a result the Dutchman accepted he was in danger of being sacked. ‘Of course I am worried about that,’ said van Gaal.

‘I know belief in a manager is very important. And when you lose games, belief in a manager shall decrease. That is happening now. I cannot close my eyes.

‘I am also evaluating myself as well as the players. Because of that I am, or maybe I should say was, a successful manager.’