Van Gaal Would Love United Job

Louis van Gaal has described Manchester United as 'the biggest club in the world' and would love the manager's job at Old Trafford

Speaking to Sky Sports news reporter Gary Cotterill at a pre-World Cup training camp on Wednesday, the Netherlands coach insisted he remains in the dark about the job, but would relish the role at United.

"You have to wait and see when the club decide," he said. "It is always the same, it's always a process and you have to wait for the process. The press are always too fast."

Asked what he knew about United, Van Gaal replied: "A stupid question I think. It's the biggest club in the world. What do you know about Manchester United?"

"You have to ask the club, not to me. I would love the job. You have to wait and see," he added.

Van Gaal offered no clue to whether interim boss Ryan Giggs is part of his plans, nor to whether Patrick Kluivert might join the backroom team if and when a deal is done.

Referring to Kluivert, he said: "These questions I cannot answer, you know that.

"It's a fantastic challenge and I hope that I shall be the one, but you have to wait and see."

He is currently preparing his Holland squad for this summer's tournament in Brazil and dismissed suggestions that continued speculation would prove a distraction.

"I have to focus on my job. I'm coach of the Dutch national team," said Van Gaal. "I have waited a long time to be in a World Cup. I have tried that already in 2000. I have invested four years to be in a World Championship. That's also very important.

"It doesn't affect me, because I have always offers. That's not affecting me. I know what the football world is and what it means and how I have to manage."

There were suggestions earlier this week that the deal might come as early as Wednesday, but it could now be the middle of next week before an announcement is made.

"I think it's a case of when not if, but that 'when' may be a little longer in the future than perhaps we imagined," Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper said.

"The received information now is that Manchester United are very relaxed about the situation but we might not get an announcement rubber-stamping Louis van Gaal's appointment as Manchester United manager until perhaps as late as next week.

"He's the man Manchester United want. They have sounded out other candidates but Louis van Gaal is going to be Manchester United's next manager.

"I think Manchester United, quite understandably, want to get this season out of the way. It's been a disappointing season and next week they will unveil Louis van Gaal as their new manager."