Former Manchester United coach Phil Neville believes that new manager Louis van Gaal will have an "easier" job than ex-boss David Moyes because he will not have the pressure of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes was sacked in April, less than 10 months after being appointed as Ferguson's replacement following the retiring Scot's glittering 27-year reign at Old Trafford.

United finished seventh under the former Everton boss, but expectations have risen following the arrival of Van Gaal, who guided the Netherlands to third place at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

"I've had sleepless nights thinking about Manchester United last year," Neville told Test Match Special. "I think it was almost an impossible job to replace Sir Alex Ferguson. Louis van Gaal has it much easier in that respect.

"Last year was a failure, a disaster but we cannot blame David Moyes. He's an outstanding manager and it just didn't work out last year. We have to take collective responsibility."

Neville worked as a coach under Moyes's regime at Old Trafford last season.