Custis: Mourinho Will Replace LVG

An FA Cup win will not save Louis van Gaal's Manchester United job, says Neil Custis, who is also sure Jose Mourinho will take over at Old Trafford in the summer.

United's 2-1 victory over Everton at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday means they have a chance of winning their first silverware since 2013.

Van Gaal, who has come under heavy criticism this season with his United side struggling to squeeze into the top four places, sees his contract run out in the summer of 2017, but The Sun's Custis believes the decision to replace him with former Chelsea manager Mourinho has already been made.

Speaking on the Sunday Supplement, Custis said: "I'm sure the decision has been made and that Mourinho will come in next season.

"Everywhere he has gone he has achieved success. That suggests to me that he's the golden ticket.

"I don't think [the FA Cup semi-final win] should mask what we have witnessed over the last 18 months under LVG, which has been pretty poor.

"If we'd seen more of those performances over the last 18 months there would be no question over the last year of his contract."

Van Gaal has been commended for bringing youth into the first team at Old Trafford, but Custis says those decisions were forced because of injuries to the squad.

"This business about bringing the youth, it was a necessity given the injuries. You would not have seen Marcus Rashford to the extent we have if they didn't have injuries.

"Once a month there is a moment where we say: 'Maybe something is coming, there's signs of development'.

"Whatever happens from now until the end of the season, it won't change what has happened in the last two years, or suggest it is going to be different next season, because he is so rigid in his ways and methods."

The Daily Telegraph's Paul Hayward echoed Custis' words, and pointed to Van Gaal's failures over his two-year stint in charge.

United finished fourth last season, but were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage this season, and then the Europa League against Liverpool at the last 16 stage.

"It's an interesting problem for Manchester United if they won the FA Cup. Does it mean LVG is suddenly a successful manager for Manchester United?

"Is it enough to wipe away all the doubts from his reign? I don't think it is, and even if they did win the FA Cup I think there would still be a strong case for moving him on.

"I think it's always a good idea in these situations to look at the span of his time there. Going out at the Champions League group stage, going out of the Europa League, struggling to get fourth place, those are the real criteria, not a good semi-final win against Everton in the FA Cup."

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