Manchester United delay naming Louis van Gaal as manager

Manchester United will not name Louis van Gaal as their new manager until next week.

The Barclays Premier League club have agreed most of the details of the 62-year-old’s new contract at Old Trafford and had hoped to officially announce the appointment on Thursday.

It is understood, however, that United have not yet managed to agree upon all the specifics with their incoming manager.

Club sources stressed on Thursday morning that there is no problem with the deal and they remain sure that Van Gaal will be confirmed next week.

However, with Van Gaal currently preparing the Holland squad for a friendly on Saturday, there is only so much time he can spend in conversation with his future employers at the moment.

Once Holland’s friendly with Ecuador is out of the way on Saturday, United hope to sit down with Van Gaal again the next day.

Ryan Giggs meanwhile, has been offered the job as Van Gaal’s No 2 after holding talks at the Dutchman’s penthouse apartment.

Giggs was seen coming out of a hotel in the seaside town of Noordwijk, 20 miles southwest of Amsterdam, and it is understood that the discussions took place at Van Gaal’s luxury home a few hundred yards away.

Van Gaal, 62, is said to have offered Giggs the job as his assistant although it is unclear if the United icon has accepted yet.