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Paul Ince on Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

Paul Ince
Image: Paul Ince says Louis van Gaal's style of play is 'not exciting'

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince is not sure if winning the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on Saturday will save Louis van Gaal his job.

However, Ince thinks that the style of football United have been playing this season is the main reason why their Dutch boss is under pressure.

Ince spent six years at Old Trafford during which time he played his part in two Premier League successes and was a member of the team that won the FA Cup finals in 1990 and 1994.

He told Sky Sports News HQ on Friday: "It's not just about winning a trophy. He (Van Gaal) said winning a cup was probably better than finishing in the top four. But that's ridiculous as far as I'm concerned.

The tippy-tappy football they have been playing has not been great.
Paul Ince

"They need to be in the Champions League and winning the FA Cup doesn't change that. But I think it's more about the style of football the fans have seen this year.

"It's not the exciting, free-flowing football, creating chances. They've struggled to score goals and the tippy-tappy football they have been playing has not been great.

"If they win it'll just cover over the cracks and if they lose, Ed Woodward (chief executive) will have a decision to make."

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File photo dated 17-05-1990 of Scorer Lee Martin (centre) holding the FA Cup with his teammates after Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace
Image: Ince (far left) was part of Manchester United's FA Cup-winning team in 1990

Ince also said that Van Gaal is in a similar position to Sir Alex Ferguson 26 years ago, the season United beat Palace in the FA Cup final at the old Wembley Stadium.

The former England player added: "In 1990 we went to Nottingham Forest (3rd round tie), won 1-0 and Mark Robbins scored.

"People said if we hadn't have won, it would have been the end of Alex Ferguson.

"We won the game, went on to win the cup, then the European Cup Winners' Cup, League Cup and the Premier League. So maybe that is parallel to this situation."

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