The former Liverpool striker believes a young, vibrant boss should have been selected to replace David Moyes at Old Trafford despite the 62-year-old Dutchman’s strong track record

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler believes Manchester United should be looking to a younger manager, such as Ryan Giggs, to replace David Moyes rather than the 62-year-old Louis van Gaal.

The Netherlands coach is expected to be handed the task of returning United to the summit of English football after Moyes’ turbulent stint in charge ended just nine months after it started.

Van Gaal has won league titles in Germany, Holland and Spain with clubs of the stature of Bayern Munich and Barcelona but Fowler thinks the Red Devils should be looking to the longer-term future.

“I don’t know if Louis van Gaal is the right man for Man United,” Fowler told 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 has achieved but they should have gone for a young, vibrant manager.”

He added: “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.

“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.”