Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Wait for Van Gaal-United deal continues

Manchester United are unlikely to name Louis van Gaal as their next manager on Thursday as the possibility grows that the Dutchman's appointment will be delayed until next week, a source has told ESPN FC.#INSERT type:image caption:Louis Van Gaal has refused to confirm if he will take over at Old Trafford after the World Cup.END#

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The 2013 Premier League champions have been in talks with the Netherlands boss after sacking David Moyes in April, but a source confirmed that the wait to officially announce the 62-year-old may continue at least until after the Oranje play Ecuador on Saturday.

Interim manager Ryan Giggs met Van Gaal at a hotel in the Netherlands on Wednesday and the 40-year-old has been offered a job as his assistant.

The United board are keen for some continuity on the coaching staff and Giggs has some high-profile admirers in the club's hierarchy, who believe he could be a future manager of the club.

Van Gaal has been attending a pre-World Cup training camp in Holland and it has been reported that the Dutch FA do not want the build up to their friendly against Ecuador disrupted by news about the manager's future.

Van Gaal, who has previously managed Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern, has confirmed he will return to club management after the World Cup.

United have begun making plans for next season with the news that Rio Ferdinand, like Nemanja Vidic, is leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires.

They have also bid for Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, while Patrice Evra is out of contract.

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