The Dutchman was appointed in May but has been in Brazil throughout the summer, guiding the Netherlands to a third-placed finish at the World Cup.

United returned for pre-season training on 4 July, with assistant Ryan Giggs taking charge in Van Gaal’s absence.

Van Gaal will hold a press conference at 15:00 BST on Thursday.

The 62-year-old, who was pictured at Carrington – where he met players and other staff – has been asked to rejuvenate United following last season’s disappointing campaign under David Moyes.

And Van Gaal has said he is aiming to instil the same team unity at Old Trafford as the Dutch side displayed in Brazil.

“I hope the group in Manchester will become like this one,” said Van Gaal after the Dutch ended their World Cup with a 3-0 victory over the host nation in the third-place play-off game. We have to sing from the same hymn sheet.”

A United squad containing new signings Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, bought in at a combined cost of £56m, head to the United States on Friday for a five-match tour.

Van Gaal, who has won titles with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar, will take charge of a United match for the first time on 23 July against Los Angeles Galaxy, captained by Robbie Keane.

United then face AS Roma, Inter Milan and Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup, which also features Liverpool and Manchester City. They play a fifth game in the US on Monday, 4 August.

Giggs, 40, took charge for four games at the end of last season following Moyes’ dismissal.

Moyes was sacked 10 months into his six-year contract at Old Trafford. The club were seventh in the table when he left and guaranteed to record their lowest points tally since the Premier League began.

Follow Us

The post Louis van Gaal arrives ManU training ground appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Giggs, 40, made a club record 963 appearances for United and played 64 times for Wales. He is the most decorated player in the English game, having won 13 league titles, four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues, among 34 trophies.

He said: “Today is a new chapter filled with many emotions – immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement.”

Giggs never managed to reach a major international tournament with Wales. But he did skipper Team GB at London 2012, only to lose in the quarter-finals to South Korea on penalties.

He made his last appearance in the 3-1 win over Hull on 6 May, when he replaced youngster Tom Lawrence for the last 20 minutes of the game.

“My dream was always to play for Manchester United,” he said.

“Although it saddens me to know I won’t be pulling on a United jersey again as a player, I have been lucky enough to have fulfilled that dream playing with some of the best players in the world, working under an incredible manager in Sir Alex Ferguson and, most of all, playing for the greatest fans in world football.

“I am immensely proud, honoured and fortunate to have represented the biggest club in the world 963 times and Wales 64 times.

“United fans, I hope, will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs. I hope to be there every step of the way.”

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added: “Ryan Giggs has been one of the greatest players ever to wear the red shirt of Manchester United. What he has achieved will never be equalled in the English game.”

Long-time team-mate Rio Ferdinand added on Twitter that Giggs had “so many gold medals he puts B.A. Baracus to shame”.

Ferdinand, whose own United career ended last week, added that “no player” had adapted their game as well and as effectively “as Giggsy”.

From making a goalscoring debut against Everton in 1991, the Cardiff-born player has remained at the very top of English football.

In addition to the huge number of medals, Giggs also has a host of personal accolades to his name.

His sensational goal against Arsenal in the 1999 semi-final replay has been voted the greatest FA Cup goal of all time.

He was voted the number one player in the Premier League era and, in 2009, was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Failing to reach the finals of a major tournament with Wales was a source of regret – the nearest he got was the 1994 World Cup.

His international retirement in 2007 was aimed at winning more honours at club level and he went on to collect a further four titles and the European Cup, when United defeated Chelsea on penalties in 2008.

Giggs, who was interim United boss for four matches following the sacking of former manager David Moyes, said: “Today is a fantastic day for Manchester United.

“Louis van Gaal is a great appointment and I am delighted to be working with someone of his calibre. His credentials are second to none and I’m positive the club will thrive under his leadership over the coming years.”

After the downturn this season, when United failed to secure European football of any description, slumping to their lowest league finish in 24 years, Woodward will be hoping for a swift return to the style Giggs is so famous for.

“In the way he played, he was the embodiment of a Manchester United player – fast, skilful, entertaining and determined to win by playing exciting football,” said Woodward.

“His progress from the ranks of the famous Class of ’92 to the most decorated player in this or any club’s history is down to his hard work, ability and attitude.

“He is at the start of an exciting new chapter in his and the club’s life but now is the right moment to reflect on the achievements of the finest British player of the last 25 years.”

While Giggs’s retirement marks the end of an era given he is the only player to have appeared in all 21 seasons of the Premier League, it does seem to pave the way towards taking the manager’s seat himself at some point in the future.

Giggs has never made any secret of his managerial ambitions and former United assistant boss Mike Phelan feels he has the right credentials.

“He definitely has experience on his side and he has the name and the clout behind him because of who he is and what he has achieved,” Phelan told BBC Radio 5 live.

“I think [Premier League management] is the natural progression for Ryan, and I think it will happen in the next two or three years.”

Follow Us

The post Man Utd’s Giggs ends glittering career appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Speaking to investors, Woodward also touched on United’s managerial vacancy, saying: “We are focused on bringing in a manager. An announcement will be made in due course.”

He added the club was in “a healthy position to invest in the squad.”

United’s poor season cost David Moyes his job as manager.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has agreed a three-year contract to replace the Scot, who was sacked in April.

Van Gaal held talks with Ryan Giggs in the Netherlands on Wednesday and is thought to have offered the 40-year-old United player, who took charge of the team for the final few games of the campaign, the role of assistant manager.

The appointment of Van Gaal, 62, is now likely to be at some point after the Dutch play a friendly against Ecuador in Amsterdam on Saturday.

In his conference call, Woodward confirmed the cost of a poor season under Moyes goes beyond the hit United will have to take in lost revenue from European competition.

As well as a pay-off in the “single-digit” millions to Moyes, who was appointed in May last year to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson, the club must pay off his backroom staff of Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden.

Woodward also said United had cut 15 per cent off the price of their executive facilities but underlined their intent to return the club to its former status.

“We will be active in the transfer market,” he said, adding that “The window is upon us and deals are being done but nothing has been announced and no committed funds.

“Everyone at the club is working hard to ensure the team is back challenging for the title and trophies next season.”

Woodward was answering questions on third quarter figures, which show substantial increases in both commercial and broadcasting revenues.

Overall revenue for the period to 31 March was £115.5m, a rise of 26%.

However, the club’s wage bill is also 18.9% higher. That figure includes the arrivals of Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini last season, plus new deals for Nani and Adnan Januzaj.

Interestingly, Wayne Rooney also signed his new contract during the period concerned, but it is not thought the striker’s deal resulted in any material wage rise.

Instead, United will provide commercial personnel and expertise to assist in maximising the revenue from his personal image rights.

Follow Us

The post Man Utd face £30m drop in income appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

“I would love the job,” said Van Gaal. “I hope that I shall be the one. It’s the biggest club in the world and it’s a fantastic challenge.”

It is anticipated United will confirm the appointment early next week.

With Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola and his Borussia Dortmund counterpart Jurgen Klopp ruled out of the running in the very early stages, interim boss Ryan Giggs deemed too inexperienced and Carlo Ancelotti’s position at Real Madrid made more secure by the Spanish giants reaching the Champions League final, Van Gaal has become the front-runner.

But despite the huge speculation surrounding him, the Dutchman is refusing to accept the job is his.

“You (the media) are thinking I’m the man but the most important thing is whether Manchester United are thinking that,” he said.

“You have to wait and see what the club decides. It’s always the same – it’s always a process and you have to wait for the process, the press are always too fast.”

Van Gaal will not be free to join United until after the World Cup.

And it is clear he is not willing to allow discussion over his future to interfere with his plans for Brazil, having failed to qualify for the 2002 tournament in his first spell with the Netherlands.

“I have to focus on my job,” he said. “I am coach of the Dutch national team. I have waited a long time to be in a World Cup so that’s very important.

“This doesn’t affect me. I have always had offers. I know what the football world is and what it means.”

United had already ruled out any formal announcement this week.

That timescale may have something to do with a planned meeting on Friday between Giggs and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for discussions about the Welshman’s future.

The 40-year-old has yet to accept any coaching position with the Old Trafford outfit and, after introducing himself as a second-half substitute against Hull, he revealed it was still to be decided whether he would extend his playing career by another year.

Giggs has already ruled out the possibility of playing for another club, meaning his 963rd appearance for his United could turn out to be his last.

Follow Us

The post I want Manchester United job – Van Gaal appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The Netherlands coach, 62, has been the bookmakers’ favourite to replace David Moyes since his sacking on Tuesday.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported he has signed a deal with United but the club have denied the claim.

“There is nothing to report,” a spokesman said. “We have not signed a new manager. When we have something to report, we will announce it.”

Van Gaal is under contract with the Dutch national team until the end of the World Cup finals in Brazil and has previously been linked with a summer move to Tottenham.

However, De Telegraaf suggests that he has been negotiating with a United delegation this week in Portugal.

Reporter Marcel van der Kraan told BBC Sport: “Very good sources last night informed us they (Manchester United) have agreed a deal.

“Van Gaal flew out to Portugal at the beginning of this week and he is due back this weekend because we have the last week of the Dutch league.

“He needed to sort his future out with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur because the Dutch national team are soon starting to prepare for the World Cup and Van Gaal didn’t want to be bothered on his future.

“There was a huge offer from Tottenham on the table and it was either going to be that one or Manchester United. Our sources, more than one, informed us last night it was Manchester United.”

In the interim, Ryan Giggs has taken charge of United. The Welshman has been given control for the final four matches of the Premier League campaign, beginning with Saturday’s visit of Norwich, but is not expected to be appointed on a permanent basis.

“I’ve got a chance to show what I can do,” said the 40-year-old. “My focus is the next four games – not five years down the line. What happens at the end of the season is another conversation.”

Former Arsenal defender and Premier League winner Martin Keown believes United would be right to go for an experienced coach.

“I think he (Giggs) is one for the future, but right now they need a safe pair of hands, a proven winner,” Keown told Football Focus.

“I feel they need that type of pedigree, somebody who has won championships and understands how to work with top players and get the very best out of them.

“With Moyes, I know there is a generation of players coming to their end, but they should not have fallen as far as they have done.

“There seem to be relationship problems in the team that need to be addressed and a top manager can do that.”

Van Gaal is a multiple championship winner across Europe but BBC Sport’s Alan Hansen believes the Old Trafford post will still be a challenge.

“Whoever gets the job, it will not be easy,” Hansen told Football Focus.

“United are a massive club but they need new players. Do you give somebody £150m, and say buy a whole new back four? Well it’s a lot easier than it sounds.”

Follow Us

The post Man Utd play down Van Gaal deal report appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Having sacked David Moyes and put Ryan Giggs in temporary charge until the end of the season, United must now identify the club’s long-term successor.

Louis van Gaal is desperate to land the Old Trafford job, but United have been made aware Jurgen Klopp is not interested in the post.

Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone has admirers at United, but the Argentine’s lack of English fluency is a major drawback.

Before making a firm approach to Van Gaal, Simeone or another candidate, United are set to make discreet moves to find out whether or not Guardiola could be tempted away from Bayern Munich.

Follow Us

The post United in secret moves to woo Pep Guardiola appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

He was dismissed at a meeting with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward at the club’s Carrington training ground shortly after 0800 BST.

Moyes, 50, was chosen by Ferguson as the man to succeed him when he retired after 26 years in charge last summer.

Player-coach Ryan Giggs is expected to take charge of United’s next game at home against Norwich on Saturday.

The BBC understands coaches Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden have also left their posts.

The club had previously refused to comment on national newspaper reports on Monday that Moyes – who left Everton to sign a six-year deal with the Premier League champions – would be dismissed before the end of the season.

But in a statement on Tuesday the club said it “would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role”.

Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal, Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, Atletico Madrid’s manager Diego Simeone and Paris Saint-Germain’s Laurent Blanc have already been tipped as possible successors to Moyes.

United, who currently lie seventh in the table with four games remaining, are guaranteed to record their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League having struggled at Old Trafford in particular this season.

Under Moyes, they have lost six league games at home, been beaten in the FA Cup by Swansea at Old Trafford and were unable to prevent Sunderland knocking them out of the Capital One Cup in the semi-finals.

In March, some supporters chartered a plane to fly overhead trailing a banner with the words “Wrong One – Moyes Out” – a reference to the banner at Old Trafford that proclaimed Moyes to be the “Chosen One” – during the Premier League win over Aston Villa.

The Reds will also miss out on Champions League football for the first time since 1995 and are in danger of missing out on European competition altogether for the first time since 1990.

United did reach the last eight of the Champions League before being knocked out by Bayern Munich and Moyes argued that their best displays had been in the competition.

But the Scot has been dogged by claims he has fallen out with members of his squad.

When midfielder Anderson joined Fiorentina on loan in January, he was quoted as saying other United players “wanted out” although he later denied it.

Rio Ferdinand and Robin van Persie also made less than complimentary comments about his management style, while Javier Hernandez and Wilfried Zaha posted cryptic quotes on Twitter.

At the weekend, Manchester-born striker Danny Welbeck was reported to be considering his future after becoming frustrated at regularly being played out of his favoured position.

Moyes left Everton after 11 seasons saying he could not turn down the opportunity to move to Old Trafford and began his job on 1 July.

However, United endured a difficult summer transfer window and failed in reported bids for Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas.

A double bid for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines was dismissed as “derisory and insulting” by Moyes’ old club Everton, although Fellaini finally joined on transfer deadline day for £27.5m.

Moyes was unhappy United were given a difficult start to the season, playing Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their first five games.

“I find it hard to believe that’s the way the balls came out of the bag, that’s for sure,” he said.

But his reign began in style with a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield at Wembley, followed by a 4-1 win away at Swansea City in the first league game of the season.

However, things quickly got worse with defeats at Liverpool and City, setting the tone for what would become United’s worst ever Premier League season.

With the exception of Matt Busby’s additional 21 games in charge as emergency manager following Wilf McGuinness’ exit in 1970 and the 22 games when Jimmy Murphy stood in for Busby after the Munich crash, Moyes’ reign represents the third shortest in United history.

It is also the first time since 6 November 1986, that Manchester United have sacked a manager.

The Scot’s 49 games in charge exceeds only the 43 matches Walter Crickmer presided over during the first of his two spells as manager. Lal Hilditch was in charge for the least time, lasting just 33 games between October 1926 and April 1927.

Follow Us

The post Man United sacks David Moyes appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

But Bastian Schweinsteiger’s away goal gave the reigning champions the advantage ahead of the return leg in Munich next Wednesday.

United looked like they might put recent Premier League struggles at home behind them when captain Nemanja Vidic was left unmarked to head in Wayne Rooney’s corner just before the hour.

The holders, who had dominated possession without creating too many clear-cut chances, responded swiftly and were level nine minutes later when Schweinsteiger turned in a header from substitute Mario Mandzukic to give Pep Guardiola’s side that crucial strike to take back to the Allianz Arena.

Schweinsteiger’s night ended in disappointment when he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Rooney, while Arjen Robben came closest to settling the contest with a shot inches wide late on.

United will be underdogs for next week’s second leg, but a performance that showed much more solidity than in recent home humiliations against Liverpool and Manchester City at least keeps them in the tie.

And manager David Moyes and his players will feel they were victims of an injustice when Danny Welbeck’s early strike was harshly ruled out for a raised foot.

Welbeck missed United’s best chance later in the first half when clean through on Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer – a moment of hesitation and indecision that may yet prove to be expensive.

United would have craved an early goal and were unfortunate not to get it when Welbeck drove past Neuer only for Spanish official Carlos Velasco Carballo to award a foul for a raised foot on Javi Martinez. It was, at best, a marginal decision.

Bayern eventually settled down into their smooth passing patterns but Guardiola was often visibly frustrated in his technical area as the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions failed to produce the end product to go alongside that approach work.

On the whole, United keeper David de Gea was well protected but he did produce one excellent diving save to stop Robben after a trademark run when the Dutchman cut in from the left for a right-foot shot from 20 yards.

The best chance of the half fell to Welbeck as half-time approached. He was sent clear by Rooney with time and space on his side and only Neuer to beat, but he hesitated and ignored the option of a low, powerful shot and offered up a feeble attempted chip which Neuer saved.

United were forced into a half-time change when Shinji Kagawa, who enjoyed plenty of success against Bayern when he played for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, replace Ryan Giggs after he sustained a groin injury.

And for all Bayern’s possession, United took the lead after 58 minutes. Kagawa earned a corner and Vidic was left completely unmarked to head Rooney’s corner past Neuer.

It was vital United retained their concentration but Bayern were level nine minutes later. Guardiola had introduced Mandzukic for Thomas Muller and he was the creator, heading Rafinha’s cross into the path of Schweinsteiger, who turned his finish high past De Gea.

Suddenly Bayern were alive and Robben was inches away with a low effort from the edge of the area with De Gea stretching and beaten.

Bayern were reduced to 10 men when Schweinsteiger was sent off and they will also be without vital midfield man Javi Martinez for the second leg after he picked up another booking.

United will rue the concession of that away goal but at least they can head to Munich with a place in the semi-finals still within their reach.

Follow Us

The post Determined Man Utd hold Bayern appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Moyes and the club have denied reports of disagreements between the manager and senior players such as  Robin van Persie  and Ryan Giggs.

“A lot of people are trying to divide us in some way or not keep us together,”  Moyes told MUTV, adding that “I can only tell people what they’re hearing or what they are saying is rubbish.”

Moyes is  under increasing pressure  following United’s 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

That result that left them seventh in the table and 12 points off the top-four spot that would secure their qualification for next season’s Champions League.

United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Swansea in the third round and lost to Sunderland in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.

They must overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Olympiakos at Old Trafford on Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.

It had been suggested that midfielder Giggs – a United player for 24 years – has been critical of Moyes’s tactics, believing them to be too negative for a club of United’s size.

This has privately been  denied by the Welshman, who is annoyed at the claims.

Moyes added: “Over the last few weeks [the media] have tried to say there are problems with this player or that player. But the reports are all rubbish.”

For the latest on national news, politics, sport, entertainment and more follow us on Twitter and like our Facebook page.

The post Man Utd rift reports rubbish – Moyes appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.