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Louis Saha expects Manchester United to replace Louis van Gaal

Louis Saha of Manchester United Legends
Image: Louis Saha expects Manchester United to replace Louis van Gaal this summer

Louis Saha believes Manchester United need a managerial change but stopped short of blaming Louis van Gaal for all of his former club's troubles this season.

United have struggled to produce the scintillating performances frequently seen during Saha's four-year spell at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman was part of a United team which stood at the pinnacle of European football, winning back-to-back Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League and the 2006 League Cup.

United are currently fifth in the league and face a battle to finish in the top four, while the club's only chance of silverware lies in the FA Cup.

And, asked whether United would appoint a new manager if they failed to qualify for the Champions League, Saha told Soccer AM: "Yes, that could be.

"It is obvious (Jose) Mourinho wants the job. The club is looking for a solution because it has been really hard to see them play some games.

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"If you look at the history of Manchester United it is all about the style. The fans are really used to winning games in a special way.

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"There is nothing to hide there. United need a change in some ways."

In what has been a season of highs and lows, Van Gaal has gone from being on the verge of the sack to looking likely to see out the final year of his contract at United.

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Key to the upturn in both his and United's future has been his development of young players at Old Trafford, with no more than 14 players handed their debuts this season.

And Saha believes their uninterrupted development at Old Trafford should take precedence over the appointing of a new manager, were a decision to be made.

"I'm not going to only blame Louis van Gaal because some big players left the club and the big manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) left the club, so it was going to be hard for anyone," Saha added.

The club is looking for a solution because it has been really hard to see them play some games. There is nothing to hide, United need a change in some ways.
Louis Saha

"All the talk about a new manager is disruptive for young lads who are trying to prove themselves to a manager who could then not be there next season, it is not nice.

"You want to have consistency. It will be nice for the club to keep things quite if they have a decision to make at the end of the season. I think that will be best."

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