Andrei Kanchelskis: Van Gaal is not good enough to manage Manchester United

"Van Gaal is too pragmatic, his footballers play like robots," Kanchelskis told Sport Express in Russia.

"They are kept within a strict framework, they are not allowed to improvise, contrary to what (Sir Alex) Ferguson allowed us to do.

"Van Gaal, of course, is a good coach but, in my opinion, he is not for Manchester United. I'm looking at his game for the second season now. He says that the transformation is going on, but I still couldn't understand what he is looking for.

"There is an impression that he doesn't know what he wants. No creative players, no wingers. Nobody could serve Wayne Rooney. The current Manchester is not the same as it was under Ferguson."

United drew 1-1 with CSKA in Moscow a fortnight ago courtesy of a goal from Anthony Martial with the return match at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Kanchelskis - who earned two Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Super Cup under Ferguson - was particularly critical of the sluggish performance of German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

"The first game against CSKA showed that it's possible to win against this team," said Kanchelskis. "I was at the stadium and I was surprised how disgustingly United played in the first half. A lot of ball control, but no sharpness at all.

"In the second half it got better because of the substitution of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was slowing the game down. I guess, Manchester United is not his team.

"It's in the history and tradition of Man United to play wide and be sharp at the flanks, but there is nothing like this now."