Xavi Hernandez backs Van Gaal to succeed at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal gave the strongest indication yet that Ryan Giggs will take up the hot seat at Old Trafford after he retires.

FC Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has hailed his two former bosses, Pep Guardiola and Louis van Gaal.

This confrontation is reportedly linked to United’s stuttering start to the domestic campaign, in which the English club has scored three goals in four matches in the Barclays Premier League.

When it was put to Van Gaal that the De Gea episode has been unsettling for his players, the United manager denied that was the case.

And Van Gaal appears to agree, telling executive season ticket holders at an event on Wednesday evening that the sum was “a ridiculous amount of money” and down to “the insane world we are in”.

The Times report that a number of senior United players confronted Van Gaal recently about his strict training methods which are apparently stifling the team’s creativity and invention in games.

His words could well be passed off as mind games to either motivate his players to prove him wrong, or to encourage some complacency in their opponents. He responded: “It makes me sick because they should know that it takes time“.

Last season he achieved his minimum requirement of leading United back into the Champions League. United now sit fifth in the standings having already fallen behind to their neighbours Manchester City by 5 points who have a 100% record going into their weekend’s encounter against Crystal Palace.

Rooney has spoken to Van Gaal over the discontent Rooney and Carrick – United’s captain and vice-captain respectively – are also believed to have voiced concerns regarding the role of video analyst Reckers.