Manchester United great Dwight Yorke hits out at Louis van Gaal and says Ryan Giggs must replace him as manager

United take on Liverpool in crucial Europa Leaugue contest this week

Louis van Gaal reacts on the touchine (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has hit out at current manager Louis van Gaal, declaring his brand of football "unacceptable" and saying that there will be "really serious consequences" for the Dutchman if United fail in the Europa League and FA Cup.

Van Gaal, who is contracted until the end of the next season at United, faces a crucial couple of weeks in his United tenure, starting with them attempting to overturn a two-goal deficit against Liverpool in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.

"If you turn the Liverpool game around and the West Ham game around and you pick up in the league then suddenly you’re still in two cups and maybe fourth in the league and it doesn’t look so bad. I think Van Gaal will base how things fall between and now and the end of the season before he decides whether he still remains at the club," Yorke, speaking exclusively to 888sport, said.

"The manager has to find out why they are under-performing and somehow get that motivation out of them. It’s the manager’s job to get the best out of the players and these two games coming up are very crucial and will make or break this season. This is when the manager really earns his corn. If not I think there will be really serious consequences."

On Van Gaal's brand of football, which has drawn much criticism from the Old Trafford faithful this season, Yorke, part of the free-flowing United treble winner of 1999, says it "has to change".

"The Manchester United way has not been there for nearly two years now. We understand there is a transitional period and we accept that. But what we don’t accept is where we are and the way we play. The type of football is just not acceptable," the 44-year-old said.

"We’re in the entertainment business and there is a certain Manchester United way – a brand of football they have worked hard for - and we’re not seeing that. It’s not exciting and that has to change."

For Yorke, there is only one man who should replace Van Gaal, his former team-mate and current United assistant manager Ryan Giggs.

Ryan Giggs (right) in the United dugout next to Louis van Gaal (Getty)

“I want to say this categorically. Giggs has been under the main man now for three years and you look at how football is changing. In Spain’s top three all the managers are young ex players. You have Pep who is coming over, a young manager at 45.

"You have to accept that Jose Mourinho has been a great manager but if there is a change of manager at Manchester United and Van Gaal goes then it will be Ryan Giggs. If they don’t either this season or next season then Giggs won’t be around anymore because he has served his time. If he can’t make the step up after three years after seeing all he has seen then when? After ten? There is only one candidate. There is no question in my mind who should get the job.”

Read the full 888sport interview with Dwight Yorke here including how he thinks this week is make or break for Manchester United