Manchester United have denied that that the club have met with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal this week amid speculation he is being lined up to replace manager David Moyes.
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caption:Louis van Gaal is planning to manage in England after the World Cup finals.
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Reports in the Dutch press claimed that United powerbrokers, including joint chairman Joel Glazer, had interviewed the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager in Europe over recent days.
But sources at Old Trafford have told ESPN that they are adamant this is not the case and that no such meeting has taken place.
United have remained supportive of Moyes, despite a disappointing first year at Old Trafford that has led to questions over his future in the job.
Van Gaal, who is in his second spell in charge of his country, has confirmed he will leave the role after the World Cup and has been open about his ambitions to manage in England before he retires.
He said earlier this year: "I have said before that a challenge should be a club in the Premier League. That’s a challenge."
Van Gaal has been strongly linked with Tottenham, whose head coach Tim Sherwood seems likely to leave at the end of the season, and his fellow Dutchman Ruud Gullit claimed last month that the 62-year-old’s appointment at White Hart Lane was a "done deal."
In a stellar managerial career, Van Gaal has reached three Champions League finals, winning with Ajax in 1995, and has won four league titles in his homeland, plus two in Spain and one in Germany.
United are certain to end their first season under Moyes without silverware after they exited the Champions League to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
They are seventh in the Premier League and are almost certain to finish in their lowest position since 1990 and to miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time since 1995-96.