Manchester United manager: Ryan Giggs could be next Pep Guardiola, claims goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard

Lindegaard admits that it may be a 'rash and naive' decision but feels what he has shown so far could see him become the next Guardiola

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has thrown his support behind interim manager Ryan Giggs and claimed the Welshman could be the next Pep Guardiola.

Holland boss Louis van Gaal is the front runner to succeed David Moyes as United manager but Lindegaard compared Giggs not only to Bayern Munich boss Guardiola, the former Barcelona coach, but also to Sir Alex Ferguson.

He told BBC Sport: "It might sound pretty rash and naive, but, in my opinion, we are dealing with a new Guardiola.

"What we have seen in the first week has been more than convincing.

"The similarities with Sir Alex Ferguson are striking and it is evident that Ryan Giggs has learned from one of history's most respected football managers."

He added: "Some would question whether you can go from being a team-mate one day to a manager the next. Normally I would have reservations as well, but, in the case of Giggs, it is different.

"His latest speech, before the team went onto the pitch for the Norwich game, made my hairs stand on end in a way that I have only ever experienced from Sir Alex Ferguson: Do not disappoint the fans!"

Giggs' chances look remote even though sources close to the club insist Van Gaal is only one of several names on a shortlist.

Read more: United's move for Van Gaal hits snag over Giggs role
Van Gaal waits in the wings

Those names include Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, but it is understood United chiefs are determined to appoint a coach with a significant level of managerial experience at the very top of European football and that rules out Giggs.

Meanwhile, Roy Keane has ruled himself out of a return to Manchester United as part of the coaching staff.

Speaking to Today FM's Ray D'Arcy show in Cork, Keane, the Republic of Ireland assistant manager, said: "People keep asking me, ironically, about other jobs. I have got a job and I am very happy in my job."

PA