Van Gaal 'irritated' with 'rumours' of rift with assistant manager Giggs at Man U

Manchester United football team manager Louis van Gaal has angrily rejected media speculations that there is a rift between him and assistant manager Ryan Giggs, claiming that he is irritated by these rumours.

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.

But dismissing press reports of a breakdown in their relationship, Van Gaal said that he doesn't want rumours, insisting that he is irritated by this question because everybody can see that they have a good relationship; not only with Giggs, but that goes for all the staff and players, Sport24 reported.

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.

When asked about his rapport with Giggs at his weekly press conference, Van Gaal initially joked that they had a very bad relationship, before revealing his annoyance with questions on the subject. He said that he believes it's a way of suggesting things, so he is very irritated, adding that he would take this up with the media, and claimed that he is not pleased.