Manchester United defender Daley Blind isn't pleased with the manner in which his compatriot, and now former manager, was pushed out the door.

The Dutchman, speaking after Monday's firing of Louis van Gaal, said he and his teammates were grateful for the way the 64-year-old tactician protected the players despite the club's struggles, adding that his departure could have been handled far better than it was.

Related: Van Gaal disappointed by firing, calls time at United 'an honour'

“A manager at a big club in the Premier League will always be under pressure. But in the case of Van Gaal he has not been treated fairly over the last six months,” Blind said, according to the Guardian.

“I think a manager with the status of Van Gaal, who has achieved so much in his career, deserved more respect. No matter what was said or written about him as a manager, he never stopped protecting us as players.

“He has defended us under any kind of circumstances, he was always taking the stick instead of us. I think I can say that the whole squad is grateful for that, for what he has done in that respect for us as players.”

Blind, who joined United from Ajax in 2014, suggested this season was a success by virtue of the FA Cup triumph, and added: "I’ve enjoyed working with the manager so much. I would have liked to have carried on for a long while."