Paul Scholes Rules Out Manchester United Role Under Louis van Gaal

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes says Louis van Gaal is "too late" to recruit him as a coach in his backroom team after signing up as a television pundit for BT Sport and ITV from next season.

Scholes finished last season as an assistant to interim manager Ryan Giggs and Van Gaal was keen to hand the 39 year old a prominent role within is coaching staff.

However, earlier this week Scholes followed the recently retired Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher into television punditry and the ex-England international says Van Gaal has missed his chance to give him a position under his new regime at Old Trafford.

"I only helped Ryan for a few weeks at the end of the season and I wasn't on a contract," said Scholes. "I didn't have a job with the club and that is no different now.

"It is probably a bit too late now. I couldn't wait around forever. I had the offers from television, I had to make my mind up if I wanted to take them on and I've decided to go ahead with them.

"Whether something might come from United in the future, I don't know, but it is not something I'm waiting for."

Having ended last season as one of three assistants to Giggs, alongside Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, Scholes was expected to unite with his Class of '92 compatriots behind Van Gaal for the new campaign.

Upon being unveiled as United manager earlier this month, Van Gaal said: "Nicky Butt is already assisting us. We will find a role for Paul Scholes and Phil Neville. That is what we want.

"We have to adapt to the qualities of these people and we'll have to speak to them personally and wait and see."

Scholes' position at United had already been thrown into doubt following his public criticism of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and striker Wayne Rooney following his World Cup appearances for England.

A veteran of over 700 professional appearances for club and country, Scholes has penned a four-year deal with BT Sport while he will also work with ITV on their coverage of the Champions League from next season.