Van Gaal is a coach known for his strength of mind and also for his inflexibility. He will understand the emotional appeal of Giggs. He will understand that offering a club icon a prominent role on his staff would represent sound PR. He is not, however, the type of coach who will do it if he doesn’t think it will benefit him on the coaching field.
Some supporters will ask why United do not offer Van Gaal the job on the condition that he keeps Giggs - at least. Across town at Manchester City, for example, Brian Kidd has now worked as a coach under three managers.
Woodward, however, is adamant that United’s new manager is given carte blanche to do things his own way. The chief executive would very much like Giggs to be incorporated prominently in the set-up but it will not be allowed to become a sticking point in negotiations.
In some way or another, a line of continuity should remain. Neville - part of Moyes’s regime - is not expected to stay. Butt, though, is likely to return to his work with the Under 18s and Scholes may be given the opportunity to go with him. The only thing that may stand in the way of that is their pride.
This week the mood among the Class of 92 has darkened a little. They don’t like the uncertainty or the lack of clarity. Last week, walking along the touchline ahead of the game against Norwich, they were central figures in a fairytale narrative.
The reality of United’s new dawn - and their part in it - is rather less romantic.
THE MEN WHO COULD COME IN UNDER LOUIS VAN GAAL:
PATRICK KLUIVERT - First team coach - Age 37
Legendary Dutch striker who shot to fame as a member of Van Gaal’s European Cup-winning side with Ajax in 1995, when he scored the winning goal against AC Milan in the final at the age of 18.
He teamed up again with his mentor at Barcelona in 1998.
Following his retirement in 2008, Kluivert was recruited by Van Gaal to coach his strikers at AZ Alkmaar, and then appointed as an assistant when he took charge of the Dutch national team in 2012.
FRANS HOEK - Goalkeeping coach - Age 57
One of Van Gaal’s longest-serving and most trusted lieutenants, the former FC Volendam goalkeeper has worked at Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Dutch national team, and has overseen the development of the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes. Hoek has written various books on the training methods of goalkeepers.
JOS VAN DIJK - Physiotherapist - Age 57
Another senior member of Van Gaal’s backroom team who has worked with him in Spain, Germany and Holland, and is trusted with full responsibility for the medical department.
MAX RECKERS - Chief analyst - Age 34
The Dutchman first worked with Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar and then followed his boss to Bayern Munich, where he spent the next two years as his chief anaylst, a role he has subsequently carried out for the Dutch national team under Van Gaal since 2012.
