United sack Moyes, Giggs appointed as caretaker

Gaal appears favourite to take over as Klopp rules himself out of running

MANCHESTER: Manchester United on Tuesday sacked manager David Moyes following a disastrous ten-month spell at the world-famous club, with veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs named as interim manager.

Moyes, 50, succeeded Alex Ferguson at the helm of the Premier League side on July 1 but the move quickly became a fiasco with the team slumping to a series of embarrassing defeats.

After feverish speculation in the British media, United confirmed Moyes's departure in a brief statement.

"United announces that David Moyes has left the club," said United. "The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."

United later confirmed Giggs would fill in on a caretaker basis.

"Following the departure of Moyes as manager, United has announced that Giggs, the club's most decorated player, will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made," said another statement.

"The club will make no further comment on this process until it is concluded."

Giggs, Britain's most decorated player and United's record appearance-maker, was informed of the news after arriving at United's Carrington training ground near Manchester on Tuesday morning.

His first game in charge will be a league fixture at home to Norwich City on Saturday.

Giggs, 40, made his United debut in March 1991 and has made 962 appearances for the club, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups, three League Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.

He has no previous managerial experience, but has combined his role as a player with a position on United's coaching staff since the start of the current campaign.

Gaal emerges as favourite to replace Moyes

Experienced Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has emerged as the British bookmakers' favourite to succeed Moyes on a permanent basis.

The 62-year-old, whose previous clubs include Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, recently expressed a desire to work in England when his contract as manager of the Netherlands expires after this year's World Cup in Brazil.

However, Jurgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund, another rumoured contender, has already ruled himself out of the running.

Klopp told British newspaper The Guardian: "United is a great club and I feel very familiar with their wonderful fans. But my commitment to Dortmund and the people is not breakable."

Ferguson personally hand-picked Moyes to succeed him after announcing his retirement last May following 26 and a half trophy-studded years at Old Trafford.

Moyes signed a six-year contract and inherited a team that had romped to the Premier League title – United's 20th English league crown – by 11 points, but he endured a torrid season.

United have slumped to seventh place in the league table and been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and the Champions League.

Moyes's last game in charge was Sunday's 2-0 loss at his former club Everton, which confirmed that United will not compete in the Champions League next season for the first time since 1995.

Moyes's transfer dealings proved equally disappointing, with £27.5 million midfielder Marouane Fellaini, signed from Everton, and £37.1 million record signing Juan Mata, who arrived from Chelsea in January, struggling to make an impact.