Since Sir Alex Ferguson left the managerial position at Old Trafford, Manchester United have tried with a number of coaches, some more established some less. One of those with ‘bigger’ name is certainly Louis van Gaal. The 70-year-old led the Red Devils from 2014 till 2016 and during that time managed to bring the FA Cup trophy to the red part of Manchester.Years have passed and United are still in limbo when it comes to finding the right manager. The latest attempt – the ‘Rangnick project’ – did not work out and the club are on an aggressive search to find the right person for the dugout. And the rumours are circulating for a while now it could be van Gaal’s compatriot – Ajax boss Erik ten Hag. And you would think van Gaal would advise his younger colleague to join such a giant of a club? You would be wrong.Let’s sit down and talk Man United futureQuite contrary – van Gaal has warned Ajax manager against taking over as the new manager of Manchester United, telling him that the Red Devils are ‘a commercial club’.Ten Hag is one of the leading candidates for moving to Old Trafford, alongside Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino, and the 52-year-old Dutchman has already been interviewed about potentially being appointed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-term successor.’I think Ten Hag is a great coach,’ Van Gaal said. ‘A great coach is good for Man United. ‘But, they are a commercial club. Those are difficult choices for a coach. He should choose a football club, not a commercial club.’Van Gaal was sacked shortly after winning the only piece of silverware for United in his two years at the club. He was replaced by another huge name – Jose Mourinho.‘I’ve battled depression and it started with Mourinho’Talking to the BBC after his United sacking, he said: ‘I can imagine Woodward chooses Mourinho. He is a top coach. He has won a lot of titles. More than me.”Van Gaal has been critical of Woodward in the past. Current Netherlands national team manager worked alongside Ed Woodward as chief executive at United, who was often perceived as focusing on raising revenue off the pitch but unable to deliver success on it. On February 1st this year, the day-to-day running of the club was handed over to Richard Arnold’What I don’t like is Woodward contacting my successor, knowing in his mind he will replace me and he keeps his mouth shut for six months. Every Friday I had to go into press conferences and be asked what I thought about the rumours. What does that do to the authority of the coach?No-nonsense Roney: “Rio is arrogant, CR7 is annoying, Tevez doesn’t speak but mumbles”‘To win the FA Cup when, for six months, the media has a noose round my neck, is my biggest achievement.’I spoke to Woodward the day after that game. His argument was that I was only going to be there for one more year and Mourinho would be there for three, four or five. I appreciate he hired a private plane to get me back to Portugal but his arguments were not good enough.’Sat 19:30: (1.55) Man.Utd. (4.40) Leicester (6.50)United, meanwhile, are sixth in the Premier League standings and four points off Arsenal, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying place. The Gunners have a game in hand on United, whose pursuit of the top four resumes at the weekend when they host Leicester at Old Trafford.Who ever takes over, should take van Gaal’s advice into consideration. Manchester United are still a massive brand and a huge club – but pitch-performance-wise, they are not the team to beat.
