Could this big achievement be enough to save Van Gaal at Man United?

You know when one under-fire manager claims another manager’s job is on the line that something is going to explode very soon.

So when Crystal Palace’s Alan Pardew fired noticeable warning shots at Louis van Gaal ahead of the FA Cup Final, the managerial sack race took another twist – and could the Eagles man be dictating faith?

In all honesty, it’s a question many fans, players and pundits have probably thought about at some point this season. You need to consider and ask yourself whether a Sir Alex Ferguson team would have settled for a fifth place finish and an FA Cup win, but it very much seems like that is best case scenario at Man United this term.

That has led to many to debate whether or not the FA Cup is enough to save LVG’s reign, and with Jose Mourinho thought to be edging closer each day, will a win in May keep him in employment?

No would probably be the logical answer. When Fergie won the FA Cup for the first time during his United tenure, it was thought to be that which saved him from the chop, and we all knew what happened after. He went on to deliver 13 Premier League titles and four more FA Cups during his astronomic career with the Red Devils.

But in modern-day football you just don’t get that time anymore. Immediacy is the key to any successful spell, especially if you’re managing one of England’s most prestigious clubs. United have flirted with the top four for most of the season, but have never been in a definitive position to actively take the reigns and charge to the summit.

This has been made all the more disappointing due to the poor form of other ‘big’ clubs – with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool all struggling to even get into the top six. As good as they’ve been, Leicester and Tottenham have been anomalies and had they not performed as well as they have done, United could have been up there with a chance of winning the crown.

But you must look to the example of Fergie and suggest the Dutchman could be given another chance if they win the FA Cup. Van Gaal has very much been behind the development of some of United’s best young players in years, giving them a chance to thrive in the first team and enthuse the Old Trafford faithful.

The form and general progress of Anthony Martial can also be accredited to the work of LVG. The Frenchman arrived in England with a big price tag and big boots to fill, and despite a somewhat slow start, he’s been excellent in the latter parts of the season. He shone in United’s FA Cup win over Everton and will be a huge asset to the team in the coming years.

But United need to win the cup first. Failure to do so will undoubtedly see Van Gaal sent on his way but who will come through the door? A special somebody, perhaps.

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