Soccer: Van Gaal to United a done deal, say Dutch

Louis van Gaal.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has reached a deal to join Manchester United as manager after the World Cup, replacing the sacked David Moyes, a Dutch newspaper report said yesterday.

Popular broadsheet De Telegraaf said "the national coach late last night reached a deal with the top British club", without citing sources.

Manchester United yesterday denied the reports.

De Telegraaf reported: "The man who's the absolute No 1 to replace axed coach David Moyes will immediately take up the job when the Dutch Eleven is knocked out of the World Cup in Brazil."

Van Gaal, 62, who has been on holiday at his Portuguese villa "has been in talks with Ed Woodward, a lawyer for club owners the Glazer brothers, for a multi-year, multi-million contract," the paper said.

Included in the deal would be 100 million in transfer fees to beef up United's flagging fortunes.

The Dutchman has won league titles with Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Van Gaal has long said he wanted to move to British football after the World Cup and has in the past also been linked with a possible move to Tottenham Hotspur.

- AAP