Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes that manager Louis van Gaal could be handed a stay of execution at Old Trafford if he guides the Red Devils to the FA Cup title.

United have struggled for the most part under van Gaal's tutelage this term but the club hierarchy have resisted the urge to sack the Dutchman as of yet.

There have been talks that United will review van Gaal's position at the end of the campaign and former midfielder Keane believes that the 64-year-old may well be able to hold onto his job if the team can beat Crystal Palace in the cup final at Wembley on May 21.

Keane told ESPN's Beyond the Pitch : "I wouldn't say I have sympathy for Van Gaal, but then again I don't like to see managers heavily criticised because it's a difficult job.

"It was always going to be difficult, even for David Moyes , after Alex Ferguson. There's been some good signs over the last few months with some of the younger players. With lots of changes over the last two or three years, it was always natural there was going to be a dip.

"I think if United can win the FA Cup - and they're making it difficult to finish fourth - he's got a year left and I don't see why United wouldn't let him finish out the last year of his contract.

"If they can win the FA Cup, it might give him that bit of breathing space to finish the job off next year and when we're talking about Manchester United, to me, I'm always talking about winning titles etc."