• Premier League

Van Gaal 'to be appointed next week'

ESPN staff
May 1, 2014
Louis Saha backs former team-mate Giggs to be the next full time United manager

Louis van Gaal will be named Manchester United manager next week, according to the Daily Mail.

It is believed United will confirm the Dutchman's appointment as David Moyes' permanent successor following the final home game of the season against Hull on Tuesday.

Van Gaal will leave his post as Netherlands manager after the World Cup, with United keen to see interim player-manager Ryan Giggs, as well as Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, remain part of the Old Trafford set-up.

Reus happy in Germany

Marco Reus' has been involved in 42 Dortmund goals in 40 appearances this season © Getty Images
  • Louis van Gaal and Manchester United may be left disappointed in their pursuit of Marco Reus, who insists he is happy at Dortmund.
  • Reus, 24, is under contract until 2017, though the Dortmund-born forward is reported to have a £30 million release clause.
  • He told German newspaper Die Schwarzgelben: "I don't say anything about the contents of contracts, but I don't have to emphasise every time just how fine in feel at Dortmund."

Van Gaal wants to bring in his own five-strong team, including current Holland assistant manager Patrick Kluivert and goalkeeper coach Frank Hoek. But with Giggs being handed the top job, albeit on a temporary basis, he is unlikely to be happy with being relegated to a bit-part role.

He has also reportedly lined up three transfers already with Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos targeted, as well as Borussia Dortmund pair Marco Reus and Mats Hummels.

Van Gaal is reportedly happy with the transfer target list drawn up my United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and former manager David Moyes, which includes Southampton's Luke Shaw, Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho and Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani.

The Dutchman has earmarked May 10 as the start of a training camp with domestic-based Holland players and United are aware he regards that date as the beginning of his build-up to the finals in Brazil - and the end of the period in which he wants to negotiate for a new job.

He has already delayed announcing Holland's preliminary squad for the World Cup after talks with United. An announcement on his selection was due to take place on Friday but has been put back to Monday with the Dutch FA - keen to avoid distractions from preparations once they start - allowing him time to wrap up his future.

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