• Premier League

Giggs hails 'fantastic' Van Gaal

Ryan Giggs has revealed he is an admirer of prospective Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, saying the Dutchman has a "fantastic pedigree".

Van Gaal is widely expected to be named David Moyes' replacement early next week, despite Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano describing him as "difficult", interim manager Giggs has no doubt he will fit in at Old Trafford.

Speaking of the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, Giggs, preparing for his second game in charge against Sunderland on Saturday, said: "He has a brilliant reputation. He is a successful manager in different countries.

New deals for veterans

Rio Ferdinand has been a Manchester United player for 12 years © Getty Images

• Ryan Giggs has urged Manchester United to offer Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra new deals and insisted both are still major assets.
• The veteran defenders could be entering the final week of their first-team careers at Old Trafford as both are out of contract in the summer.
• Ferdinand, 35, joined from Leeds in 2002 and is the subject of reported interest from clubs in the United States and Turkey, while Evra, who turns 33 later this month, has been linked with other clubs and with United yet to appoint a new manager and trying to buy a younger left-back, they risk losing the France international, who was bought from Monaco in 2006.
• But Giggs restored both to the starting line-up for his first game in charge and he said: "Both their contracts are up but they have both given massive service to the club. They are both fit and they both looked good last week. I don't see why not.
• "They have a lot to offer and have been great players and they remain assets to a club like Manchester United."

"Obviously he has taken Holland to the World Cup. He has a fantastic pedigree."

The 40-year-old is waiting to see if he will be part of the backroom staff next season and is yet to decide whether to retire as a player or not but while his future is up in the air, he is in regular contact with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Giggs has made 962 appearances for United but unless he selects himself against Sunderland on Saturday or Hull on Tuesday, he may have played his final game at Old Trafford.

"It is not something I have really thought about," he insisted. "We just have to wait and see. We have to see how the team performs tomorrow and then see if I can get in. My main priority is winning the games. Does me playing give us the best chance? We will see."

Giggs believes it will be a significant summer for United in the transfer market after they slumped to seventh place this year, but feels they have the squad to do better.

"It has not been a great season this year," he accepted. "It is important we get the right players in and we improve on this season. I see plenty of quality at the club.

"Whether you have been successful or not, you would always look to strengthen. That will never change. If the players are out there, you try and go and get them. If there are players who can improve you and take you forward, you try and get them."

The interim manager won his first game in charge, 4-0 against Norwich, and knows that if he can overhaul sixth-placed Tottenham then United will be in Europe next season.

He added: "Obviously everybody wants to be in the Champions League but the next step down is the Europa League. I believe Manchester United should be in Europe."

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