Louis van Gaal gives United ABC of targets before going Dutch

Louis van Gaal is adamant that he can juggle two jobs at once despite the distraction that his impending appointment as Manchester United manager could have on Holland's World Cup campaign. The Dutchman says he "can manage the situation" and has already handed the club a list of transfer targets to work on while he focuses on his national team duties.
United are taking instructions from the Netherlands about when they should make an official proclamation that they have appointed Van Gaal as David Moyes' permanent successor.
The club have agreed to delay the announcement until there is a rest day for the national team, which means Sunday is the earliest United could finally confirm his appointment. If not Sunday, then it could be Monday as that is also a rest day for the Holland squad before they fly to Portugal to continue their World Cup preparations.
Asked how important it is that his concentration is solely on Holland, Van Gaal said: "I have invested a lot of time in this, so you can imagine how very important [the World Cup] is for me and the players. I've been in football for 40 years. In three months

Ryan Giggs could leave Manchester United to manage 'somewhere else'

Ryan Giggs has hinted he would consider leaving Manchester United to play or to become a manager of another club "somewhere else", though the Welshman insisted any decision over his future will come at the close of the campaign. Louis van Gaal is the favourite to become the permanent United No1, with the Holland manager hopeful of being appointed before 7 May when he begins official preparations for the summer's World Cup.

Asked if Giggs would want to be No2 to Van Gaal or any new manager, the 40-year-old said: "I have got to decide if I want to play or not so there is no point thinking if I want to be an assistant or if I want to be a manager somewhere else. There are so
 many things to think about. The way I am thinking is I am enjoying it and then my concentration is on the remaining two games and then like I have just said, we will see what happens at the end of the season."

Giggs insisted he is just getting on with being the interim manager, with the Welshman having spent the week discussing youth player contracts and the club's summer tour. "Nothing has changed – it's until the end of the season. We'll chat when that's over," he said. "I've got a lot to think about, whether to carry on playing. But my concentration is just on now. The only peace and quiet you do get is when you are on the training pitch. As soon as you are back in the office, you have meetings, you have calls.

"For example this week has been planning pre-season, which has been testing because we have to way and see about the Europa League and the third qualifying round for that is round about the tour time, so different permutations. Also it is a difficult time for young players, extending contracts, renewing contracts, loan players, players that need to come back, players that need their future sorting out so there has been a lot of that this week."

Wayne Rooney is a doubt to face Sunderland as he has a stomach bug and "tight groin", with the other players in the United camp, including Anders Lindegaard, also suffering from the digestive complaint. Giggs said: "He has a bug and a tight groin too. But Wayne being Wayne, he wants to play."

Robin van Persie, who has not played since 19 March because of a knee injury, could be in contention for Saturday's match. "Robin's looked good in training. Whether tomorrow is too early, we'll just see how he goes today," said Giggs.

Tottenham approach revealed by Frank de Boer

The Ajax coach Frank de Boer has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur have approached the Amsterdam club to test his interest in coaching the club.

In an interview with the national broadcaster NOS on Tuesday, De Boer said he had been informed of Tottenham's call by the Ajax football director, Marc Overmars.

De Boer added that until the season ends next week, he is concerned only with Ajax, who clinched a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title

Manchester United's new manager will make final decision on transfers

Manchester United will give their new permanent manager the final decision on transfers, which means the club could face another traumatic summer in the market if their first choice, Louis van Gaal, is given the role.
The 62-year-old is hopeful that a deal to make him David Moyes' successor will be sealed this week, with the Holland coach keen to do so before starting his World Cup preparations on 7 May.
United are intent on avoiding a repeat of last year when Moyes and Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, oversaw a disastrous window during which the pursuit of Cesc Fábregas, Leighton Baines, Ander Herrera and Fábio Coentrão ended in failure. Marouane Fellaini arrived from Everton on the closing day for £27.5m, £3.5m more than his buyout clause.
United are aiming for an overhaul of the squad. Yet even
 if Van Gaal was appointed in the next few days it would leave him almost no time to finalise targets before starting his World Cup buildup. As with most managers, his preference is to meet a player in person.

Manchester United refuse to deny reports of deal for Louis van Gaal

Manchester United have refused to deny a report that Louis van Gaal will be the club's next permanent manager.
According to De Telegraaf, a leading Dutch newspaper, a deal has been agreed in principle with the Holland coach for him to take over United once the national side are eliminated from the World Cup.

Reacting to the story on Saturday morning, United said:

Manchester United set sights on Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani

Manchester United intend to plough ahead with their transfer business during the potentially long process of waiting for a new manager to start – almost three months in Louis van Gaal's case – and their extensive inquiries include exploring the possibility of whether Paris Saint-Germain might sell Edinson Cavani.
United confidently expect to close a deal of around £30m for Luke Shaw, offering the teenage Southampton full-back a lucrative financial package that could be

Sir Alex Ferguson will help to choose David Moyes's successor

Sir Alex Ferguson will be asked to take a prominent role in deciding Manchester United's next manager despite an acknowledgement within the club that he was responsible for choosing the wrong man last time.
United are deliberating between Louis van Gaal and Carlo Ancelotti to replace David Moyes after the former Everton manager was sacked in a 7.40am meeting with the club's chief executive, Ed Woodward. Diego Simeone, the Atlético Madrid coach, is also being considered but United are leaning towards a more experienced candidate and their initial discussions, involving Ferguson, have concluded that the job has come too early for Ryan Giggs, even if he exceeds expectations in his four games as interim manager.
Laurent Blanc has also been ruled out, despite Ferguson's close ties with the Paris Saint-Germain coach, and it has been made clear that the