Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has urged the Old Trafford hierarchy not to dispense with Louis van Gaal.

The Dutchman has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks and Thursday’s Europa League defeat to FC Midtjylland in Denmark has prompted speculation he may be removed from his post sooner rather than later.

Jose Mourinho has been linked with the Manchester United job in weekend press reports but Moyes says the club must avoid gaining a reputation for sacking their managers.

The Scot succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United boss but was himself sacked after just ten months in the dugout.
“I don’t think Manchester United should become a sacking club,” Moyes told BBC Sport.

“I was disappointed when I lost my job after 10 months, but we would think Manchester United have always stood for much greater things than sacking their managers regularly. So, I don’t think they should [sack him.]”

Van Gaal takes his team to Shrewsbury in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday evening desperate to avoid any more upsets.

Prior to their Danish defeat, Man United were beaten 2-1 by relegation threatened Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, their seventh Premier League defeat of the season.

Van Gaal has suggested achieving Champions League football is the “bare minimum” requirement for his team this season but Man United are now six points adrift of the top four.

Winning the Europa League would be another avenue to Europe’s top table but after their setback in Denmark, United face a challenge just to reach the last-16.

Manchester United are 1.25 to defeat FC Midtjylland in their second leg clash at Old Trafford on Thursday, while they are 13.00 to win the Europa League.