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Van Gaal ired by talk of fallout with Giggs

MANCHESTER — Louis van Gaal insists he enjoys a very good relationship with Ryan Giggs, his assistant manager at Manchester United, after being forced to reject suggestions of a rift, following the Welshman’s restrained response in the wake of Ashley Young’s late winning goal at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Claims of Giggs (left) being concerned about Van Gaal’s cautious approach have emerged. Photo: Reuters

Claims of Giggs (left) being concerned about Van Gaal’s cautious approach have emerged. Photo: Reuters

MANCHESTER — Louis van Gaal insists he enjoys a very good relationship with Ryan Giggs, his assistant manager at Manchester United, after being forced to reject suggestions of a rift, following the Welshman’s restrained response in the wake of Ashley Young’s late winning goal at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old’s stony-faced reaction to Van Gaal’s animated celebration of Young’s goal — when he moved to pat Giggs on the cheek — appeared to give credence to rumours of his frustration alongside the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

Video footage of Van Gaal and Giggs’ contrasting reactions to the goal and the bizarre moment when the manager raised his fist towards his assistant’s face was widely circulated on the Internet on Thursday, sparking speculation about their working relationship.

When asked about the footage of Giggs’ reaction to Young’s 88th-minute goal at St James’ Park, which maintained the Red Devils’ position in the top four, Van Gaal responded sarcastically before insisting he had no concerns over his relationship with the Welshman.

“I cannot answer that because I want to have those rumours,” said the Dutchman. “No, we have a very bad relationship.”

When asked whether he was being serious, Van Gaal replied sarcastically: “We have a very bad relationship. I am very irritated because of this question. Everyone can see we have a very good relationship. We work very hard together, not only Ryan Giggs, but (also) all the staff and players.”

With Van Gaal’s style of play leading to accusations of overcaution and negativity from former players and supporters alike, claims of Giggs being concerned about the unadventurous approach have emerged, although the latter has remained a visible figure on the training ground alongside the manager.

Giggs has admitted in the past that he would like to eventually manage United, but former team-mate Paul Scholes said: “Over the next two or three years, will he have the patience to be No 2 for that long? I’m not sure he will.”

Meanwhile, United defender Jonny Evans and Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse both face a lengthy ban for spitting at each other during United’s 1-0 win at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

An FA statement confirmed the pair had been charged over the incident and had until Friday evening (this morning, Singapore time) to respond. A three-man panel of former elite referees will review footage of the incident.

Players found guilty of spitting at an opponent are automatically banned for six games under new FIFA regulations adopted by the English Football Association.

Although Cisse issued a swift apology and has accepted a seven-game ban, Evans has denied that he spat at the Newcastle striker first, a stand that was backed by Van Gaal. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

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