Louis van Gaal Delays Netherlands Decision as Manchester United Rumors Swell

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has delayed the announcement of his preliminary World Cup squad amid reports suggesting he is on the brink of being confirmed as Manchester United's new manager.

Van Gaal was expected to confirm his 30-man squad on 2 May but will instead postpone the announcement until after the final Eredivisie weekend where several European places are yet to be filled.

The alteration to the schedule comes amid reports suggesting the 62 year old will confirmed as David Moyes' replacement at Old Trafford within the next seven days.

After announcing his squad which is set to be significantly made up of Dutch league players, Van Gaal begins an 11-day training camp with those players made available through their clubs on 7 May and hopes to have a deal announced before the start of his international commitments.

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager has been the bookmakers' favourite since the sacking of Moyes on 22 April after 10 months in charge. Interim boss Ryan won his first game in charge 4-0 against relegation-threatened Norwich City but his future is still to be decided.

Giggs, United's most successful ever player, has made up part of a coaching quartet at Old Trafford including Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes which has reunited many of the members of the much-famed Class of '92.

While Giggs still holds a playing role at the Theatre of Dreams, Neville followed Moyes from Goodison Park at the end of last season following retirement while Butt and Scholes have been working with the United's Under-19 side in the Uefa Youth League.

Guus Hiddink will replace Van Gaal at the end of Netherlands' World Cup campaign this summer with the latter intent on managing in the Premier League

Van Gaal has won domestic titles in three different countries and former Dutch international Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says it is undeniable he has the capacity to succeed at United.

"If you look at [Jose] Mourinho he has learnt from Van Gaal," the current Royal Antwerp boss said.

"If you look at Frank de Boer he has learnt from him – a lot of trainers have taken a lot from him, even [Pep] Guardiola has taken a lot from him. So he must be good."