United mum on Van Gaal but transfer kitty agreed
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 16, 2014
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Van Gaal appointment delayed. |
Dutchman Louis van Gaal remains favorite to become Manchester United's new manager but media reports that he would be confirmed yesterday before the release of the club's financial results proved unfounded.
The former Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is preparing to lead the Netherlands at next month's World Cup and United is anxious to name the successor to the sacked David Moyes before the event kicks off in Brazil.
"Everyone at the club is working hard to ensure the team is back challenging for the title and trophies next season," executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said in a statement.
Van Gaal, 62, has been the leading contender since Moyes was fired in April, 10 months after replacing Alex Ferguson who retired after 26 glittering years at the helm of England's biggest club. If appointed, he will become the first manager from outside the British Isles to take charge of United.
Reports yesterday said United's longest-serving player Ryan Giggs, who managed the team for the final four games of the English Premier League season, had held talks with van Gaal about becoming his No. 2.
Reinforce the squad
United finished the season in seventh place, meaning it will be without European football next season, which is expected to cost United about US$60 million, although the club said it has the financial power to reinforce the squad following its worst Premier League season.
If he takes charge, van Gaal would be arriving at a club not playing in the Champions League for the first time since the 1995-96 season, a failure Woodward told analysts will cost the club in the "mid-30 million pounds" (US$60 million).
"The club's expectations, and you'll see this reflected in the transfer market and what we've recently done from a managerial perspective ... absolutely is to get back into the Champions League," Woodward said.
Van Gaal would almost certainly have a large transfer kitty after United reported a 60 percent rise in quarterly profits.
The team requires an overhaul, with veteran defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic leaving. United already broke its transfer record this year to sign midfielder Juan Mata in January for 37 million pounds.
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