Ryan Giggs should be given a chance to lead Manchester United if Louis van Gaal is replaced, says the club's former assistant coach Steve Round.
Pressure on Van Gaal is increasing more than ever with United in fifth place after a home defeat to Norwich on Saturday, and sources have told ESPN FC that club representatives spoke with Jose Mourinho's camp about replacing the Dutchman.
But Round, who worked with Giggs under Van Gaal's predecessor David Moyes, said the Old Trafford legend is the right choice to fill the job he once held on an interim basis after Moyes' departure.
Asked if Giggs would be right for the role, Round told Sky Sports: "I would hope so, I think that is the right and proper succession plan for Manchester United.
"Ryan was an absolutely magnificent player; he is certainly one of the best players I have ever worked with in the short period of time I was there. He was phenomenal, even at 39 years of age.
"Then he has stepped into coaching. With us he was part-coach, part-player and now he has stepped into being an assistant manager -- the natural progression for him is to go on to be a manager.
"You would assume that would be at Manchester United; that is what they are grooming him for and getting him ready to take over eventually when that time comes.
"I think that is only right and proper -- he needs and deserves to have that opportunity.
"Manchester United, to move forward, need to give him a chance to either succeed and thrive or fail and move away. I think that is part of the process and journey on Ryan Giggs' career path."