Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has advised the former club to not sack Louis van Gaal, insisting that the Old Trafford outfit are facing a ‘reality check’ at the moment.
United fell to an embarrassing 1-2 defeat at the hands of basement dwellers Norwich City, thereby extended their winless run to a total of six games - the first time they have gone without a victory in all competitions since 1998. Naturally, the lack of points has left the Old Trafford fans fuming, who are also exhausted with the lackluster brand of football being played.
However, the 38-year-old believes that what United are going through now is a ‘reality check’, and that constant managerial changes are not the answer to the club's woes.
"It's not the Sir Alex Ferguson era now; that time has gone and there needs to be a reality check”, Neville told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Neville says constant change is wrong, Van Gaal must stay
"It's the Louis van Gaal era. Constant change is not the answer."
Neville, who acts as an assistant manager to his brother Gary Neville at Valencia also went on to say that a manager’s position at the club should be assessed at the end of the season and not midway through it.
"I was at United as a player for nine years and it wasn't pretty every week," he said.
"There seems to be an obsession at all clubs now, if you don't get the right results in four or five games then it's time to change the manager. That is not the answer."
Neville continued, "There is talent in the team. United are only a few points off the top three, it's not all doom and gloom but performances must get better."
Valencia assistant coach says United need to back successful manager
"They need to put faith in a man who has won trophies in every major European country. United asked him to get into the Champions League, and he did, now this year is about winning a trophy.
"He has the experience, he can handle being at Old Trafford and people need to relax about constantly needing to change and sack managers.
"United have to make a decision. Do they turn into a club who changes manager every 12 to 18 months or do they look for stability?"
The situation at United is a bit strange at this moment in time. The results have been extremely poor, the style of play is highly questionable, and the fans’ fury is increasing by the day. Van Gaal hasn’t done anything which could help his case either.
And, if rumbling stories about United opening informal negotiations with Jose Mourinho to take over are anything to go by, then it seems as though only a miracle can help van Gaal save his job.