Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has compared Louis van Gaal to Sir Alex Ferguson when talking about the 'ruthlessness' needed as a manager.

Van Gaal has taken strong decisions at Old Trafford this summer, including the sale of Robin van Persie and the decision to ditch Victor Valdes after just six months.

Robson believes that the Dutchman's ability to make such decisions will stand the club in good stead for the future.

"It's very similar to Sir Alex Ferguson. Louis van Gaal has been very successful in his career. He has been a bit ruthless with a few of his decisions lately and that is what good managers do," Robson told reporters.

"At certain stages, managers have to make major decisions and sometimes people have to move on and the manager has got to change things the way he sees it. And that is what he is doing, that's part of his job - you have to be ruthless at stages."

Man United are currently on a pre-season tour of the United States.