Louis van Gaal will guide Man United to top-four finish, insists Glenn Hoddle

Glenn Hoddle is confident that Louis van Gaal will guide Manchester United to a top-four finish this season.

The Red Devils face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday as Van Gaal’s side bid to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Swansea City on the opening day of the season.

‘ll stick my neck out and say Van Gaal will have them back in the top four again

Glenn Hoddle

But Hoddle, who was appointed as first-team coach at Queens Park Rangers earlier this month, is backing the Dutch coach to secure a Champions League spot in his first term.

“After last weekend’s defeat by Swansea, people are beginning to doubt him a little bit, not least his decision to switch to a back three, the system he played with Holland in the World Cup,” Hoddle said.

“The performance seemed like a re-run of last season. A year ago I did say that I thought United would be struggling to make the top four, because of the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.

“But, from what I’ve seen so far, as long as United do make a couple of signings, I think this season will be different. I’ll stick my neck out and say Van Gaal will have them back in the top four again and qualifying for the Champions League; and that will probably be considered job done for the first season.”