Photo credit: AFP

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes says the Old Trafford hierarchy should keep faith with his embattled successor Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal is under severe pressure after United’s disappointing season hit a new low with a dismal 2-1 defeat at Danish minnows FC Midtjylland in the Europa League last 32 first leg on Thursday.

United are also languishing outside the Premier League’s top four and failed to make it out of their Champions League group earlier this season.

Moyes was axed by United after less than a season in charge with the club in similar disarray two years ago, but the Scot, who replaced the legendary Alex Ferguson following his retirement, does not believe another dismissal would be right.

“I don’t think Manchester United should become a sacking club,” Moyes told the BBC on Saturday.

“I was disappointed when I lost my job after 10 months, but we would think Manchester United have always stood for much greater things than sacking their managers regularly. So, I don’t think they should (sack him).”

Moyes was speaking while working as a TV pundit at former club Everton’s FA Cup tie at Bournemouth.

Sitting alongside him was ex-England striker Alan Shearer, who suggested Van Gaal’s days were numbered.

“I think he will be very lucky to see this out,” Shearer said.

“I admired him for the way he kept fighting back and sticking up for his team and himself and his club, but I thought he looked a defeated man after Sunderland and the performance in midweek in the Europa League was terrible.”