Manchester United deny Van Gaal reports

he experienced 62-year-old has been heavily linked with the United post since David Moyes was fired on Tuesday.

And Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf is reporting that Van Gaal has agreed to take charge at Old Trafford after leading the Netherlands at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

But United have told Sky Sports that they have not yet signed a new manager and will make an announcement when they have done so.

The well-respected Van Gaal has previously managed Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, leading them all to League titles and winning the Champions League with Ajax in 1994-95.

And De Telegraaf said on Saturday: "The national coach late last night reached a deal with the top British club.

"The man who's the absolute number one to replace axed coach David Moyes will immediately take up the job when the Dutch Eleven is knocked out of the World Cup in Brazil."

Van Gaal has previously expressed a desire to manage in the Premier League after the World Cup and has also been linked with Tottenham.

But the De Telegraaf report added: "Tottenham Hotspur saw earlier this week that there was little chance in the fight to sign up the Dutch coach."

Although United say no deal is in place, Van Gaal is a red-hot favourite.

Moyes took over last summer following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement but was dismissed earlier in the week, having presided over a disappointing campaign.

United are seventh in the table, having never really been a factor in the title race, and the defending champions are guaranteed to miss out on a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.