Manchester United deny meeting Louis van Gaal

Manchester United have dismissed reports linking the club with Dutch manager Louis van Gaal.

Reports in the Netherlands have claimed United representatives, including one of the Glazer family who own the club, have met with the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

It is understood United are surprised by the reports and are insisting no such meeting took place.

It was suggested Van Gaal could take over from David Moyes, who has endured a difficult first season at Old Trafford, in the summer.

Van Gaal, 62, will become a free agent after the Netherland's World Cup campaign ends and he has already been heavily linked with Tim Sherwood's job at Tottenham.

Moyes was given a six-year contract when he took over from Alex Ferguson last year but has faced criticism over the team's disappointing results.

Last season's champions have long been out of contention for the Premier League title and are currently seventh in the table.

Their prospects of qualifying for the Champions League next season are slim and the Van Gaal speculation comes just days after they were knocked out of this season's competition by Bayern.