Louis van Gaal to Manchester United: Dutchman is 'too old' for Old Trafford job, claims Robbie Fowler

Former Liverpool striker says the job should be given to Ryan Giggs

Louis van Gaal is currently with the Netherlands (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal is the wrong choice to be the next manager of Manchester United, claims Robbie Fowler.

The Dutchman is "too old" according to the former Liverpool striker, who believes the job of replacing David Moyes on a permanent basis should go to Ryan Giggs.

Van Gaal is expected to be confirmed as the new Manchester United manager next week, with Giggs likely to be his number two at Old Trafford. But Fowler reckons United are making a mistake.

“I don’t know if Louis van Gaal is the right man for Manchester United,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show on talkSPORT. “He’s had his time. It might sound silly, but he’s too old.

“You can’t argue with his credentials and what he’s achieved, but Man United should have gone for a young, vibrant manager.

“The board might have said to Van Gaal he needs to get Giggs ready to take over in a few years. That was one of the stumbling blocks early on. Whoever came in would have to take him on to the staff."

Ryan Giggs addresses the Old Trafford crowd after United's 3-1 win over Hull (GETTY IMAGES)

Fowler continued: “But they should have just given the job to Ryan. It’s one of the biggest jobs in football but Giggs knows the club, he knows what’s expected and everything about the club.

“They should have appointed him and brought in a superb number two to help him along the way."

Giggs took charge of the final four games of the season following the dismissal of Moyes and oversaw mixed results. United won two, drew one and lost at home to Sunderland under the 40-year-old. Despite the less than impressive results, others aside from Fowler, including Sir Alex Ferguson, suggested the Welshman should be given the job on a full-time basis.

Such a move would be a risk, particularly with the club experiencing such a dire season and much change expected over the summer. Fowler insists his backing for Giggs isn't in hope that Liverpool's great rivals would slip further off the pace should they choose the midfielder.

“I’m not saying that as a Liverpool fan who thinks, ‘let’s get the young manager in and hope that he fails’. I want young British managers to do very well because it’s good for British football as a whole.

“You don’t have the career he’s had at Manchester United if you’re a bit of a wimp. He knows what he’s doing and they should have gone down that route.”