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Home  »    »  Shearer Says: “I’m not sure an FA Cup victory will pacify United fans. It’s going to be difficult for Louis van Gaal to keep his job this summer.”

Shearer Says: “I’m not sure an FA Cup victory will pacify United fans. It’s going to be difficult for Louis van Gaal to keep his job this summer.”

| 29.04.2016
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

FA Cup glory will not rescue disappointing season for Van Gaal

Everton v Manchester United - Emirates FA Cup - Semi-Final - Wembley Stadium

It’s a tremendous achievement for Crystal Palace reaching the final of the FA Cup. All four clubs heading into the semi-final of the competition last week were in the same situation in that if they were to lose, their season would be considered a really disappointing one. Palace are now safe in the Premier League and they have another trip to Wembley to look forward to for the final so their fans will be very happy with that.

For Manchester United, there is chance of some silverware but if even if they do win the FA Cup, I don’t think it will rescue their season. For a club like Manchester United to finish outside the top four in the league, will be a disaster. At the moment, that looks like it is going to happen. I said it before the game on Saturday on the BBC, I’m not sure an FA Cup victory, in the manner they have played this season will pacify their fans. It’s going to be very difficult for Louis van Gaal because once the fans and the legends at the club are against you, it’s hard to turn it around. There were thousands of empty seats at Old Trafford last week which does send out a message. When you have spent as much money as he has and you finish outside the top four, then it is difficult to get the support of the fans again.

Everton pay the price for Lukaku off day

Everton v Manchester United - Emirates FA Cup  -  Wembley Stadium

I thought the Everton and Manchester United tie on Saturday was an exciting game of football but Lukaku had an off day. It was his two goals in the quarter-final against Chelsea which got them to Wembley but he missed the penalty at the weekend and had a few sitters which you would expect a top striker to knock in.

I don’t think Everton have as good a squad as many commentators are making out. They should though be performing better than 11th position so questions will be asked about the manager.

No argument with Mahrez PFA Award as Leicester roll on

Swansea City v Leicester City - Barclays Premier League - Liberty Stadium

Not many people can disagree with the results from the PFA Awards last night. Riyad Mahrez has had a superb season for Leicester with his goals and assists. When you look at what he cost, in the region of £350,000, then he has been a revelation. He thoroughly deserves the PFA Player of the Year prize.

It was a very impressive performance from Leicester yesterday. They did not miss Jamie Vardy at all. It was a good game for them to have against a Swansea team who look like they have packed up now and gone on their holidays as they have achieved Premier League survival. Having said that, Leicester dismantled them with ease. They could easily have scored a few more.

Leicester have just three games left now and I thought it was interesting hearing Eden Hazard’s comments this weekend. He said he’d prefer Leicester to win it than Tottenham knowing Chelsea have to play both of those teams. Be interesting to see the reaction if Chelsea massively under perform against Leicester! The pressure is now on Tottenham tonight because Leicester have done their bit this weekend. They can sit back and relax watching the game this evening. It’s been theirs to throw away for a while now but they don’t look like doing so.

Good week for Newcastle but Sunderland gain big boost

Liverpool v Newcastle United - Barclays Premier League - Anfield

It’s been a good week for Newcastle. First picking up a point against Manchester City in which it could have been all three and then they came from 2-0 down to draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Sunderland also picked up a point against Arsenal. I was impressed with the way they performed in that game. They are now outside the bottom three which psychologically is a big boost for them.

City defence must improve to stop Real stars

Getafe FC v Real Madrid - La Liga - Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium

I am looking forward to the Champions League this week where there are two cracking ties, as you would expect when you get to this stage of the competition. City have done very well to get this far for the first time, and they’ll be looking to kick on with the forward line they have fit again. The big problem, as I’ve said for a while, is their back four. They are all really going to have to be at the top of their game against Real if they are going to stop the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema. We saw with Real at the weekend, Ronaldo didn’t play so Bale was the match winner, stop one and the other steps up, should be a great tie but City’s defence has looked vulnerable all season.

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Author

Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer played his entire career at the top level of English football, winning the Premier League title with Blackburn in 1994-95. The following summer he signed for his hometown club, Newcastle United, for a then world record £15 million fee.

He ended his playing career with a record 260 Premier League goals, which still stands today. He also won 63 caps for England, including 34 as captain, and among his 30 international goals were five scored at Euro 96, a total that won him the Golden Boot at that tournament.

Now the chief pundit on Match Of The Day, Alan was one of the first two players inducted into the Premier League Hall Of Fame this year.