Gary Neville has urged former side Manchester United to retain their faith in Louis van Gaal until at least the start of next season.

The Dutchman has hit a rough patch at Old Trafford, having seen his side take just one point from the last six on offer.

A mixed start to the campaign, on the back of a largely underwhelming term last time out, has increased the pressure on big-spending United.

However, England coach Neville insists that Van Gaal should be given further time to put his spin on things over the next 12 months or so.

"I've always maintained that Manchester United should give their managers a minimum of two to two-and-a-half years, however messy things get," he wrote in his column for The Telegraph. "My support for Louis van Gaal is unchanged but there are red flags on some of the things we've seen at the club.

"At the time he started to come under serious pressure I stuck by David Moyes, even though you could see all was not rosy. It's quite clear that all is not rosy now, either, with the player tensions and the sometimes stagnant football, but I still believe United should stand by Van Gaal through this season and the start of next.

"He is at the point, though, where he has to start delivering the performances that go with the fantastic amount of money he has been given and the incredible support from the fans."

Van Gaal's side play host to Liverpool this evening, with both sides locked on seven points apiece.