Manchester United

Jamie Redknapp: 'Louis van Gaal's reputation is saving him from criticism'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 22 November 2014

Jamie Redknapp feels that Louis van Gaal's credentials in the game are protecting him from criticism following Manchester United's below-par start to the season.

Jamie Redknapp believes that Louis van Gaal's reputation is saving him from facing criticism at Manchester United.

The Red Devils have had an inconsistent start to the campaign, despite a heavy outlay of spending in the summer on players such as Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

Van Gaal has struggled to find a defensive system to fit his side which has caused problems at the back, and Redknapp believes that a manager without the Dutchman's credentials would be under a lot more pressure following United's displays this season.

He told Sky Sports News: "Manchester United spent a lot of money in the summer and they should be in a better position than they are, but defensively they've not really solved their problems. Louis van Gaal has struggled to find a system that works for his team.

"Like Liverpool last season, United, by not being in the Champions League, have had time to address their defensive problems but it hasn't happened yet.

"Instead, Louis van Gaal's CV is taking some of the pressure off him. Another manager, with less experience, doing what Van Gaal's doing and saying he needs three years to sort things out would get a lot of criticism. But because it's Van Gaal, we're saying 'that's ok then'."

United face Arsenal in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium later today.