No Deal In Place

Man United have denied that Louis van Gaal has agreed to become their next manager.

Old Trafford sources said during the week that the club had taken the first steps towards appointing Van Gaal, and Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Saturday that the 62-year-old had now reached an agreement with United.

However, the English club said in a statement: “We have not signed a new manager. When we have something to report, we will announce it.”

Former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Van Gaal will lead the Netherlands at the World Cup but has confirmed his intention to return to club management after the summer tournament in Brazil.

De Telegraaf said he has made recommendations to United’s owners as to the players he wishes to sign, with 100 million euros apparently at his disposal. It was also claimed in the newspaper that he would bring Patrick Kluivert with him as assistant manager and Franks Hoek as goalkeeping coach.

United are currently being led by interim manager Ryan Giggs after David Moyes was dismissed on Tuesday, with the club seventh in the Premier League and unable to qualify for the Champions League. Giggs is being assisted by his former teammates Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.

United had denied claims that Van Gaal had met co-owner Joel Glazer four weeks earlier.