Ryan Giggs praises relationship with Louis van Gaal

Manchester United assistant Ryan Giggs has praised the relationship between himself and manager Louis van Gaal.

Immediately after United’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle, rumors began to spread regarding Giggs happiness while working under Van Gaal given the reaction of Van Gaal and Giggs mid-week (see below).

Cameras had shown the Dutch boss celebrating Ashley Young’s goal in the dying moments of the match at St James Park, with Giggs standing stone-faced next to Van Gaal while the manager gesture towards him.

Social media and sensationalistic members of the media immediately pointed towards the Welshman’s lack of excitement as a sign of his deteriorated relationship with the United manager, and his disapproval of Van Gaal’s tactics.

Former Manchester United midfielder turned BT Sport pundit Paul Scholes inadvertently fanned the speculative flames when he mentioned Giggs “definitely” wanted to be 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 said during BT Sport’s Matchday Live with Fletch and Sav.

“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.”

During yesterday’s pre-match press conference, Van Gaal was incredulous, then irritated, when reporters asked about his relationship with Giggs.

“No. We have a very bad relationship. I cannot answer that. I want to have those rumors,” the United manager said sarcastically.”

He then added: “I am very irritated at this question because everyone can see we have a good relationship.

“We work very hard together. Not only with Ryan but with all the staff and the players. It is a way of suggesting things. I am very irritated. I take my measures against the media. I am not pleased.”

Now, an interview recorded with BT Sport before the Newcastle match supports Van Gaal’s assessment of the two men’s working relationship.

During the interview, Giggs speaks enthusiastically of Van Gaal, who gave him the key role in his backroom staff upon his appointment. The 41-year-old club legend describes his Dutch boss as being “brilliant” for him before going on to say that he is enjoying what the new manager has brought to United.

“We’re getting on really well. We have since the day we met,” Giggs told BT Sport. “He’s been brilliant for me. I’m learning all the time.

“The trust that he gives his staff is brilliant and I think everyone who is not used to working with him has enjoyed the different things that he has brought.

“It’s been interesting for me. Obviously a little bit different from the way that I’ve worked in the past, but I’m really enjoying it.”

Giggs went on to confirmed what Van Gaal has continually expressed during his press conferences, that being the Dutch boss trusts and values his input – particularly in regards to Premier League opponents.

“I’m trying to give him that feeling of what the Premier League is like,” the Welshman added.

“What going away to certain games is like. The history against these teams, what’s happened in the past and what we can improve on.

“It’s been a really good relationship.”