Peter Schmeichel Fears Prospect of Pep Guardiola Taking over Manchester United

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has protested against the idea of Pep Guardiola being installed as the next coach at Old Trafford, saying the Bayern Munich manager's style does not suit the Red Devils.

The former goalkeeping hero told Sky Sports' Soccer Special the ex-Barcelona boss upset the Bundesliga giants' playing style when he arrived in Bavaria and would do the same if United employed his services:

"

This is my biggest fear that someone like Pep Guardiola will become the next Manchester United manager.

Guardiola has a way of playing, he has a system and he sticks to that. He has changed Bayern Munich from what I thought was a fantastic treble-winning team under Jupp Heynckes.

[They played] quick football, through the middle, using the width of the pitch, but they were passing the ball and killing everyone they played against.

He started to make them pass the ball sideways and I don't think they are as exciting as what they were.

"

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Schmeichel was part of United's most successful side, winning the treble in 1999 as Sir Alex Ferguson's team overcame Bayern at the Camp Nou to claim the UEFA Champions League title.

United have been in transition since Ferguson departed in 2013, seeing the team play a drastically changed style under coach Louis van Gaal after the disastrous tenure of David Moyes.

LvG has recovered some of the club's lost pride after their fall of grace, but the team's move to a more continental approach has worried supporters.

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Schmeichel said ex-players have been critical of Van Gaal's pedestrian tactics and proclaimed United's traditions of attacking football supersede any individual, per Sky Sports:

"

One player, Andrei Kanchelskis, says he has them playing like robots and I kind of agree with that a little bit because the manager should not decide how the Manchester United players are playing the game.

The players are good enough to play the game themselves within a system that the club plays and has been playing for years and years.

"

United have struggled to find the back of the net in recent games, edging out CSKA Moscow by a solitary goal in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Van Gaal has resurrected the careers of his more defensive minded players.

Squawka.com highlighted the success of Chris Smalling at the heart of the team; a player who seemed surplus to requirements after Moyes' poor stint in charge:

Football writer Rafael Hernandez defended Guardiola after Schmeichel's comments, suggesting the ex-stopper is misinformed about the coach and his side:

Schmeichel's thoughts about Guardiola are balanced out by the manager's trophy haul, bringing incredible success to the two clubs he has managed in his career.

Barca played the most electrifying football in Europe at their best under Guardiola, and Bayern have gone from strength to strength since his arrival in the Bundesliga. 

United's style has adjusted significantly, but it is a fallacy to say it was always exciting under Ferguson—especially in his latter years.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

United often thought of caution first and purchased Robin van Persie to breathe life into their title aspirations after playing efficient football, a move that was far from exciting or bold.

Guardiola would be a step up from Van Gaal, and the Spaniard would bring his methodology to England desperate to be a huge success in the Premier League.

However, United fans will continue to scream for their team to attack while the build-up play is slow and lacking inspiration and verve—not in keeping with the club's traditions.