Man United to unveil Van Gaal and assistant Giggs next week

LOUIS VAN GAAL will not be unveiled as the new manager of Manchester United until next week, when Ryan Giggs is expected to be confirmed as his assistant following talks with the current Netherlands boss.

The latest developments in the Old Trafford managerial saga only serve to highlight the changes that have taken place at United over the last 12 months.

Alex Ferguson would surely have never countenanced such a period of speculation over the new appointment. When he quit at the end of the 2012-13 season the announcement came out of the blue and David Moyes was unveiled as his successor within hours, although the United press team did jump the gun by posting news of the appointment on Facebook before the official announcement.

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This time round the succession has been a rather protracted affair and at times it has appeared that the media have a better idea of what is going on than many of those at Old Trafford.

United have "agreed terms" with Van Gaal, reveals the Daily Telegraph. "But with minor contractual issues still to be signed off, both United and Van Gaal have opted to shelve plans to confirm his appointment until after the weekend fixture against fellow World Cup qualifiers Ecuador."

Giggs was photographed in the Netherlands yesterday and details of his talks with Van Gaal have already been detailed in the press. The 40-year-old winger has been offered the job as the Dutchman's number two and has accepted it, according to The Times, meaning the pair can be unveiled as a double-act next week.

"After flying out on Tuesday, Giggs stayed overnight at the Oranje [hotel] before making the short journey to the 62-year-old Holland manager's home," says The Guardian. "There, in a discussion lasting around three hours, Giggs and Van Gaal met for the first time, although the two had spoken by telephone last week when the proposed offer to be United's assistant manager was first discussed."

Meanwhile, club chief executive Ed Woodward is faced with the task of calming investors "left jittery by United's dreadful season and axing of boss David Moyes", according to The Sun. The club's share price has "fluctuated wildly" since the sacking of Moyes last month says the paper.