Louis van Gaal has denied a rift with Ryan Giggs after the Manchester United manager's celebration of the winning goal at Newcastle United with his assistant appeared not to be reciprocated. Footage of the Dutchman turning to Giggs to share his happiness showed the Welshman stony-faced.

Asked about this and if Van Gaal gets on with Giggs in general, as the latter did not appear too happy at St James’s Park, the manager said: “Okay, because we scored?”

Pressed on the matter, Van Gaal said: “I cannot answer that because I want to have that rumours.” He joked: “We have a very bad relationship. I’m very irritated because of this question because everyone can see we have a very good relationship and we work very hard together, and not only with Ryan, with the staff and all the players. I think it’s a way of suggesting things. So then I’m very irritated and then I take my measures against the media. I’m not pleased. I think 90 per cent [of suggestions] are not happening.”

Permanent post

After Giggs was interim-manager last season for United’s closing four matches, the Welshman would like a permanent post at some point. Speaking on BT Sport before the Newcastle game he said: “I enjoyed the brief spell I had in four games managing last season and that really helped with the transition. I didn’t miss playing as much as I thought I would. I’m starting all over again. It’s a completely new mindset, a completely new job than being a footballer.

“So whenever that time comes – I don’t know when it will be – but all I can do is prepare myself. I’m serving my apprenticeship again. That’s the way I see it.”

Patience

Paul Scholes

, a close friend, believes Giggs may leave the club before the end of his three-year contract in 2017 to become a manager. “There’s no doubt, he had that little taste of it for the last three weeks of last year and he definitely wants to be a manager,” Scholes told BT Sport.

“You can see that. Over the next two or three years, will he have the patience to be a number two for that long? I’m not sure he will.”

Looking forward to Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford, Van Gaal said: “It’s a game between two teams of 11 players. United and Arsenal are placed third and fourth in the league, so it’s almost like a final. I hope we can give a fantastic match for the fans.

“I think if we beat them it is a big blow for them, but if they beat us it is a big blow for us. It is very important game, not only for the FA Cup but also for the rat race.” Guardian Service