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United deny van Gaal deal

Giggs is Ferguson's choice to succeed Moyes

Manchester United have distanced themselves from reports in Holland that Louis van Gaal has agreed a three-year deal to become their new manager.

The Dutchman is the favourite to replace the sacked David Moyes at the end of the season, with prominent newspaper De Telegraaf claiming yesterday morning that the 62-year-old agreed a deal on Friday.

The report said that van Gaal met United chief executive Ed Woodward and a member of the Glazer family, the club's owners, at his private villa in the Algarve.

It added that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, who will lead Holland at the 2014 World Cup, would be free to choose his own backroom staff, with Patrick Kluivert favourite to be his No. 2.

But United, who have put Ryan Giggs in charge until the end of the season, denied the reports, with a spokesman saying: "There is nothing to report. We have not signed a new manager.

"When we have something to report, we will announce it."

CONTRADICTION

Any move for van Gaal would now appear to be a contradiction of the wishes of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scot, whose retirement teed up the appointment of Moyes - a decision he backed to the hilt - appeared to put his weight behind Giggs getting the job on a full-time 
basis on Friday.

"I think that he (Giggs) is the one man they should go to really,'' Ferguson said at a charity dinner, according to the Daily Telegraph.

"He's got 20-odd years of experience at Manchester United.

"I signed him as a kid at 13 years of age. He's gone through the gamut of emotions at the club - he's experienced all the highs and lows."

Giggs has immediately tried to evoke memories of former eras at Old Trafford by installing fellow members of the "Class of 92" - Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes - on his staff.

"He knows exactly what's needed to be a Manchester United player and I was so pleased he brought Paul Scholes back in, and Nicky Butt of course - two great professionals," Ferguson added.

"They understand the club, they are hard workers, they are straight as a die.

"So, you have got the right combinations there, there's no doubt about that."

Meanwhile, Moyes has reached an agreement with United regarding his pay-off.

United sacked Moyes on Tuesday when the Scot was just 10 months into his six-year contract.

Since then, the club have been in talks with Moyes and representatives from the League Managers Association (LMA) regarding compensation.

On Friday, the LMA released a statement saying terms had been agreed.

"The League Managers Association and Manchester United are pleased to confirm that terms of settlement have been agreed between the Club and David Moyes in respect of the termination of his employment," the statement read.

"A settlement agreement is in the process of being finalised. No further comment will be made in relation to this issue."

There was no indication how much money Moyes had received as part of the severance deal. - PA Sport.