Giggs downplays rumoured rift with Louis van Gaal

Former Manchester United player and incumbent assistant manager Ryan Giggs has played down the rumoured rift with team manager Louis van Gaal, describing the latter as 'great' manager under whom the Welshman is learning something new every day.

Van Gaal reacted jubilantly to Ashley Young's late goal in United's 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park on Wednesday, while in marked contrast, Giggs greeted the dramatic winner in subdued fashion and failed to react when the Dutchman playfully jabbed the Welshman in the face as he celebrated.

Dismissing the media reports, Giggs said that he was working as hard as he could and enjoying every minute of it, adding that the media would look at any little thing just to make it more exciting and more interesting, the BBC reported.

The former midfielder said that Louis had won everything and to work under someone like him was a great experience for him (Ryan), adding that the Dutchman had been brilliant with him and given him a lot of responsibility.

Giggs was appointed Van Gaal's assistant last year after taking charge of the first team for four matches as an interim coach last season following the sacking of David Moyes.

The former midfielder has been earmarked as a future manager at Old Trafford and potentially a successor to Van Gaal in 2017.