Man United would be in the relegation zone without De Gea'

Hmmm, do you agree Mr Tommy Docherty? Or don't you think this could just be an exaggeration? He believes Manchester United would be in the relegation zone if it wasn't for the outstanding performances of goalkeeper David de Gea.

While United sit third in the Premier League table after just one defeat from their past 15 matches, the club have been unconvincing and were completely outplayed by relegation-threatened Burnley during last week's 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.


And Docherty - winner of the 1977 FA Cup and 1974-75 Second Division title during his five-year stint in charge of United - says their situation could be a whole lot worse without their Spain international.

He told the Daily Mirror: "If David de Gea, who has shown he's world-class, hadn't played the way he has this season, United would probably be in the relegation zone now. He's been absolutely brilliant."

The Old Trafford crowd have begun to show their discontent at recent displays and Docherty believes United boss Louis van Gaal must change his style and adhere to the club's attacking traditions.

"Once the crowd start to get on you if you don't give them what they want – and they're the ones who pay your salary – they'll start showing disillusionment with the way the team is playing," he continued.

"The fans at United have been brought up with great football – two wingers going down the touchline, raining crosses in to the strikers. That's not happening.

"You've got to give the supporters what they want, and you can't really see a lot of progress at the moment, with the money he's already spent, let alone the money he's set to spend this summer.

"With that, you have to guarantee success. They've still got a good chance of finishing in the top four and back into the Champions League, but the way they're playing there's no guarantee."

United face Preston North End in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday night, having been taken to a replay in the last round by League Two side Cambridge, before winning 3-0 at Old Trafford, and Docherty says it's imperative the club see off their League One opponents.

"If United get beat by Preston, their season's almost over. Then all they'd have to go for is the top four – and they've got to get into that.

"A bad season for United, with the money they've spent and the players they've got, would be finishing in the top-four. They've got to get into the top four every year – minimum."