Louis van Gaal would leave Manchester United in a good position if he was to depart the club in the summer, says Paul Merson

Louis van Gaal would leave Manchester United in a good position if he was to depart the club in the summer, says Paul Merson.

The Dutchman has been in charge since the start of last season, and having led United to a fourth-place finish in 2014/15, is challenging again for a Champions League spot for next term.

They are currently fifth in the Premier League and face a fight with Manchester City and West Ham for the fourth spot, but Merson says the influx of youth players has been one of Van Gaal's biggest influences.

Manchester United manager Van Gaal deserves credit for putting faith in his younger players, says Merson

Merson said on Soccer Saturday: "If Louis van Gaal loses his job, he leaves Manchester United in a good position.

"The young players they've bought in are really good young players for the future. He hasn't bought for himself, he's bought for that club.

"He didn't buy people to do this and that, he's got people in for the future of the football club. If he does lose his job, he leaves a team that will get better and better as the years go on."

United are looking for a fourth-place finish, and are also still in the FA Cup at the last eight stage

The likes of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have been given extended runs in the first team, responding with good form.

Charlie Nicholas also had praise for Van Gaal, insisting that this campaign will be marked as successful if they can finish in the top four or win the FA Cup.

"You don't have to be liked in football. You don't have to do things the way everybody else wants it done. I think he's handled the situation very well.

But Van Gaal's season hasn't all been smooth having been knocked out of both the Champions League and Europa League prematurely

"At times he's been bang out of order his in press conferences but he has a right to stand up for himself.

"If Manchester United win the FA Cup or finish in the top four - or even both - the that is a very successful season for this current side that isn't that talented but could still be back in the Champions League, where Manchester United have to be."