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The Nairobian

I'm very irritated: Louis van Gaal

Football

By Mirror | Mar 06, 2015

Louis van Gaal has reacted angrily to suggestions of friction with Manchester United assistant boss Ryan Giggs.

Van Gaal’s animated celebration of Man United’s late winner at Newcastle, in the face of Giggs who remained impassive, led to suggestions of a rift between the pair.

Shouting into his face as if to prove a point to Giggs, Van Gaal also gently prodded his left cheek, with TV footage of the episode going viral on social media as fans tried to work out what lay behind the contrasting celebrations.

Rumours of tensions between Van Gaal and Giggs - over tactics and selection issues - have circulated in recent weeks, against the backdrop of the Old Trafford giants' tepid performances, which have lacked any kind of flair or swagger.

Those whispers seemed to be lent credence by the pair’s differing reactions to the winner at St James’ Park, with Giggs refusing to share in Van Gaal’s undiluted joy, despite the dramatic nature of the 89th-minute goal by Ashley Young.

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But former Holland boss Van Gaal was incredulous when it was suggested he and Reds legend Giggs did not have a harmonious working relationship, the 63-year-old at first indulging in the pretence that the pair did, indeed, not get on.

“I cannot answer that because I want to have that rumours,” said Van Gaal, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

“No, we have a very bad relationship. We have very bad relationship.”

Yet when probed further on the dynamic of his relationship with Giggs, Van Gaal’s tone changed and the United boss was unable to contain his anger at the allegations.

“I’m very irritated because of this question,” said Van Gaal. “Everybody can see we have a very good relationship and how we work very well together.

“Not only Ryan Giggs, but all the staff and the players. It’s a way of suggesting things, then I am very irritated, and I take my message against the media.

"I’m not pleased. You are saying that. You are suggesting that, not I, because of the question about the relationship with Ryan Giggs, the suggestion.”

Those close to Giggs believe the most decorated player in Man United’s history is keen to move on and establish himself as a manager, sooner rather than later.

Giggs took temporary charge of the club he has represented since the age of 14 for four games at the end of last season following the sacking of David Moyes, and admitted then the experience had given him a desire to do the job on a full-time basis.