Andy Cole backs Ryan Giggs as Manchester United boss

Ryan Giggs has received a glowing reference from former Manchester United teammate Andy Cole for the manager's role at Old Trafford.

Giggs is currently serving as assistant to Louis van Gaal, but the Dutchman's tenure has been under constant scrutiny this season as his team is slammed for unadventurous football. Ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been cited as a potential replacement for Van Gaal, but Giggs' name remains in the frame.

"If Giggsy gets the opportunity it would be brilliant," Cole told Sky Sports show "The Fantasy Football Club."

"I know everyone has said it's going to be hard for him. Of course it's going to be hard, it's Manchester United."

The 26-year spell of Alex Ferguson in Stretford, during which the surly Scot collected 27 major winners' medals, has proven a tough act to follow. David Moyes was first to be shown the exit door after less than a season in charge, and now Van Gaal looks set for the sack in his second term.

"But I do believe - given the chance - he would do well," Cole said of Giggs.

"It's going to take time, it would take time for any manager at that football club but given the job, I think he would do a great job."

Arguably the biggest positive of United's campaign so far is the emergence of Marcus Rashford. The 18-year-old exploded onto the scene in February with four goals in two matches against FC Midtjylland and Arsenal, and was the hero with the only goal at archrival Manchester City last Sunday.

Van Gaal appears to have had no qualms in handing Rashford a regular starting role, but Cole believes a more cautious approach - the same one Ferguson took with the careers of Giggs, David Beckham, and others - would be more beneficial to the youngster's development.

"If Rashford gets the opportunity to keep in and around the first team, gets put in or gets left out he shouldn't be disappointed because he's going to have a big career in front of him," Cole said.

United returns after the international break with the visit of Everton on April 3.