• Premier League

'Ask Manchester United about my contract'

Louis van Gaal refused to answer questions about Manchester United during his latest press conference for the Dutch national side.

Van Gaal is expected to be confirmed as David Moyes' permanent successor next week following the end of Ryan Giggs' four-match role as interim manager, which ended with a 1-1 draw at Southampton on Sunday.

The Dutchman will leave his current post after this summer's World Cup and, shortly before announcing his provisional squad for Brazil, rebuffed questions on the subject of him taking over at Old Trafford.

"You should ask Manchester United about my contract," Van Gaal said. "I am speaking about the Dutch national team today. I'm not going to speak about Manchester United."

Earlier in May, Van Gaal confirmed his interest in the United job following the club's decision to sack David Moyes just 10 months after appointing the Scot.

Giggs remains unsure over his United future but the 40-year-old's chances of staying were increased when Van Gaal revealed he would keep one existing coach on should he join the club. The midfielder

Further hopes of keeping a link to the 'Class of 92' appeared to improve after reports in Holland claimed Patrick Kluivert, Van Gaal's assistant as Netherlands manager, will not be joining him at Old Trafford. Phil Neville has also gone on record saying he is keen to remain as part of the coaching setup under Van Gaal, although his future at the club is reportedly uncertain.

Meanwhile, former United captain Roy Keane has welcomed the prospect of Van Gaal's arrival at the club, as he suggested the Dutchman's experience makes him a strong candidate for the post.

"Obviously his contract is expiring and it looks like a done deal," Keane told talkSPORT. "It is a straightforward deal from United's point of view.

"He's got vast experience. You hear a lot of things about him and I've heard a lot of things about Van Gaal. If he comes in, I wish him well. Hopefully he is given a lot more time than David Moyes was."

With Van Gaal's appointment seemingly imminent, Keane has suggested the veteran Dutch coach would be wise to keep United legend Ryan Giggs at the club as a member of his backroom staff.

There has been plenty of debate surrounding Giggs' future in a possible Van Gaal set-up, with Keane suggesting his former team-mate would be wise to remain at the club and learn from the highly experienced Dutchman.

"Ryan did well in the four games he was in charge," Keane said. "He got two victories, a draw and a defeat, it was a mixed bag. I'm sure he's enjoyed the experience.

"He's said he wants to become a manager, but I certainly think it was way too early for him to get the Man United job. If he's kept on under Van Gaal, he'll only learn more."

Keane went on to back United to return to form next season, as he painted an upbeat picture of their ambitions for the short and long-term future.

"When you're a big club like Man United you have to deal with the set-backs," he added. "We've seen it before when they haven't won a trophy and bounced back.

"It's a challenge for the players and the new manager to bounce back and there's no doubt in my mind that they will."

Meanwhile, widespread reports suggest that United coach Phil Neville and the club's goalkeeper guru Chris Woods have been told they do not have a future under the incoming manager, with the two trusted lieutenant of former boss David Moyes seemingly surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

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