by Kadeem Simmonds

Holland manager Louis van Gaal is set to be announced as the next Manchester United manager, with confirmation coming as early as next Monday.

Van Gaal has been the clear favourite to take over from the sacked David Moyes 10 months after the Scotsman took the job.

Although fans want Ryan Giggs to get the post on a full-time basis, the board want someone with a proven track record of winning trophies.

Earlier this week, it seemed the deal would be off with the 62-year-old wanting to bring in five members of his backroom staff including former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert as his assistant.

The Glazers are keen to have Giggs involved in the coaching set-up, preferably as the number two but it remains to be seen whether the US owners have got their wish.

The Welshman will be offered a role at the club next season, even if it is coaching the youth, as he is now regarded as a future United manager but Giggs may turn down a reduced role after being named the interim manager until the end of the season.

Former United striker Louis Saha believes that Giggs is ready to take over the club and has the knowledge after learning from Alex Ferguson for 23 years.

“It seems like an easy choice for now because he proved he can do it last weekend,” said Saha.

“I was sad to see Moyes go. But maybe it would have been more clever to give (Giggs) his chance months ago.

“The foundations are there. He was learning from the best.

“He has the pedigree and the biggest weapon he has is that he knows exactly what the fans are after — that they want the team to play the United way.”

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was sounded out, with a deal hinging on Madrid’s success in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

But after the Italian masterminded a 5-0 aggregate victory to see his side reach the final, attention has turned back to Van Gaal with all parties keen to finalise a deal before the Dutch manager starts his 10-day training camp next Wednesday. 

It seems all that is left now is the finalisation of transfer plans, with Van Gaal happy with the list of players left by Moyes which includes Southampton’s Luke Shaw, Munich’s Toni Kroos. He also has a few of his own targets including Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels.