• Premier League

'Manchester United must stick by Van Gaal'

Manchester United must stand by manager Louis van Gaal, according to former Barcelona and Chelsea assistant Henk ten Cate.

United have lost just two of their last 18 Premier League games, but Van Gaal has come in for criticism because of the team's style of play.

On Wednesday, sources told ESPN the United hierarchy is still "totally" behind Van Gaal, in the wake of their FA Cup quarter-final exit to Arsenal.

And Ten Cate, who spent a year with Van Gaal while he was doing his training badges, also thinks United should stick with his Dutch compatriot.

"You have to give him time because, for me, he is one of the best coaches there is," he told talkSPORT. "I worked closely with him for one year when I was going through the stages to get my coaching licence. I saw what he was doing and the only thing he has to do is get used to the way of playing in England.

"If the owners of the club gave him that much confidence and that much money to spend, it is not a good thing to say goodbye to the coach after one season because it is starting to become his team.

"He needs a little more time but I am almost positive that he is going to surprise Britain with his [style of] football."

Ten Cate admits United's play has not been up to Van Gaal's standards so far, however.

"I know him well and he is the kind of guy who doesn't just go for results, he wants his teams to play good football. He has proved that in the past," Ten Cate said.

"Right now at Manchester United the way they are playing is absolutely not good. But it is not the style of Van Gaal."

Van Gaal has come in for criticism over Manchester United's style of football this season © Getty Images

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