Blind: Van Gaal didn't deserve to be sacked

Cape Town - Netherlands head coach Danny Blind insists countryman Louis van Gaal did not deserve to be shown the door at Manchester United.

Van Gaal, who lasted just under two years at Manchester after taking over from David Moyes in 2014, was officially sacked by United on Monday, with one more year still to run on his contract.

Blind, father of United defender Daley Blind, feels the sacking was unfair to his compatriot, especially as it happened just two days after he guided the Red Devils to their 12th FA Cup trophy with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

"I'm closer to the situation than many other people and I can tell you that his departure came as a surprise. I feel for him. He doesn't deserve this," Blind told reporters at the Netherlands training camp in Portugal.

"I've worked with him for so many years. I played under him for years at Ajax, I was his captain, I was his assistant at the last World Cup. He's a great coach.

"We all know that, as a manager, you will face the sack at some stage in your career. It happens to every manager.

"In this case I find it very disappointing. I know in which way this sacking was done and it's not the way it should go."