Louis van Gaal Favourite to Replace David Moyes at Manchester United

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is the bookmakers' favourite to replace David Moyes at Manchester United after the 51 year old was sacked after 10 months in charge at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal, who has been heavily linked with joining Tottenham Hotspur, will be a free agent in the summer after deciding to step down as Dutch coach after this summer's 2014 World Cup finals.

The 62 year old has won league titles with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as the Champions League in 1995 and is regarded as among the most experienced managers on the continent.

"My ambition is to coach a top team in the Premier League. I have never experienced the atmosphere in England," Van Gaal told Bild in March.

Current Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is another contender, as is United's longest serving player Ryan Giggs – who is expected to be installed as interim boss until the end of the current campaign.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and ex-United coach Carlos Queiroz are also among the candidates as is former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who became a club director upon retirement as over 26 years in the role.

Sean Bones of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust told Sky Sports: "If you look at the majority of the polls on the internet with the newspapers, Jurgen Klopp is a country mile ahead of everyone else so he seems to be the supporters choice.

"At Manchester United we deserved the very best manager. Before the Glazers took over when we were a PLC we were the No.1 club in the world, we've now dropped down to fourth so that has to be changed.

"It's been proven that you need a manager proven at the very highest level because if you don't it's a gamble."

Moyes' sacking comes 10 months into a six-year contract at United but follows defeat to former club Everton which makes mathematically certain the club can no longer qualify for next season's Champions League.

Despite the promise of substantial funds in the upcoming summer transfer window and having been allowed to sign Juan Mata from Chelsea for a record fee and retain Wayne Rooney on a reported £300,000-a-week contract, Moyes' departure comes as a surprise amid his early troubles.

United have produced a tame defence of their Premier League title and face a record lowest finish in English football's top flight for 23 years.