Quote:Louis van Gaal believes he has joined the 'biggest club in the world' after his appointment as Manchester United boss was confirmed.

Van Gaal is currently with Holland as he oversees their World Cup preparations but he has spoken to Dutch TV about his new role, which he will take up once his duties in Brazil are over.

Van Gaal has previously won titles at Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, and is not holding back in his ambitions for United.

"The aim is to bring them back to the number-one position as soon as possible, because that's where they were under Sir Alex Ferguson," he told Dutch TV station RTL.

"To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud. I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I'm sure we will make history."

Van Gaal also revealed that he would be meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson once he gets to England and does not envisage any issues with the former United boss - who is now a director at the club.

"I will definitely have a dram with him soon," he said. We have done that several times before. We can really cope with each other. I don't think he is the biggest problem for this job. Because I am always putting more pressure on me than anyone else."

Van Gaal confirmed that he has already discussed plans for the squad.

"We didn't talk about money," Van Gaal said. "We talked about the players I want. We'll see if we can get them. We also talked about who can go."


England star Wayne Rooney was quick to welcome his new boss to Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old tweeted: "Great to see Louis Van Gaal has been named @ManUtd manager. Looking forward to working with him."

The England striker also offered his congratulations to former team-mate Giggs, who has decided to end his illustrious playing career at Old Trafford to become Van Gaal's assistant.

"Congratulations also to Ryan Giggs on a special career and becoming assistant manager, I'm sure he will do a great job," Rooney tweeted.

Quote:Phil Neville is waiting to find out whether he is part of Louis van Gaal's new regime at Manchester United.

Van Gaal was finally confirmed as manager on Monday after weeks of speculation and will take charge after his World Cup duties end with the Netherlands.

Ryan Giggs will serve as his assistant after a brief spell as caretaker boss, but it remains to be seen if Neville is retained in the coaching set-up.

Neville, the club's first-team coach, is yet to discuss his future with van Gaal, who is overseeing a pre-tournament training camp in Portugal.

Quote:New manager Louis van Gaal will be on Manchester United's summer tour even if the Netherlands reach the World Cup final.

The Reds head to the United States on 18 July for a five-match tour.
However, Van Gaal, 62, could still be in Brazil until 13 July if the Netherlands go all the way.

Assistant Ryan Giggs will take training until Van Gaal returns, but the Dutchman has assured club officials he will be on the flight to Los Angeles.

Quote:The new United boss will move into the plush area in Cheshire that is known as the Golden Triangle, with Hale, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge among the most exclusive and glamorous areas in the north-west. Van Gaal will be close by to star players such as Wayne Rooney, David De Gea and Juan Mata.

Quote:New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has added fellow Dutchman Albert Stuivenberg to his backroom staff at Old Trafford.

The 43-year-old recently worked under Van Gaal as Netherlands U21 coach, having previously won the European Championships with the Dutch U17 team in 2011 and 2013.

Stuivenberg, who is also former Feyenoord academy manager, will be Van Gaal's assistant coach at United.

Van Gaal has already appointed Frans Hoek and Marcel Bout to his staff, and will start work at Old Trafford after the World Cup is over.

Quote:Louis van Gaal has confirmed he will start working with the Manchester United squad at Carrington on Wednesday.

Van Gaal will return to Europe with the rest of the Holland squad on Sunday, 24 hours after the 3-0 win over Brazil which sealed third place at the World Cup.

But he is in no mood to take a long break despite his busy schedule in Brazil and will only have a couple of days off before heading for Manchester in midweek.