Manchester United transfer rumours and news: Red Devils fear upsetting Ryan Giggs; Real Madrid expect Cristiano Ronaldo interest

All the latest transfer and managerial gossip to be emerging from Old Trafford on Wednesday 27 January

Ryan Giggs (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United are facing yet more off-field difficulties with the future of Ryan Giggs becoming an increasingly contentious issue at Old Trafford, according to reports. The Welshman is assistant manager to beleaguered boss Louis van Gaal and remains chiefly among their thoughts in succeeding former Barcelona head coach.

The Daily Mirror, however suggest the Red Devils hierarchy are becoming concerned they may alienate Giggs if he is overlooked for the post once it becomes available. Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, remains the favourite to replace Van Gaal but United purists would prefer their former winger to continue his 28-year association with the club from the dugout.

The 42-year-old may also be reluctant to be caretaker boss again, unless it leads to a permanent job.

Van Gaal will never voluntarily step aside, even for a close personal friend, as manager of the North West giants, says his biographer Maarten Meijer. The Dutchman is on the brink at United, 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Leicester City, and dumped out of both the Champions League and Capital One Cup.

But Meijer remains confident Van Gaal is better than the candidates to replace him: “The British media have suggested one alternative after another as replacement. Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola are just some of the names that have been mentioned. The most surprising suggestion has been Mourinho.

“This is the man who was fired mid-season, after taking Chelsea to the threshold of the relegation zone. Van Gaal and Mourinho are friends, but he is not going to step aside voluntarily for his Portuguese colleague, or for anyone else.”

Gareth Bale has to bend to the wishes of Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty)

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has admitted he isn’t surprised United and Paris Saint-German are interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese winger, now 30-years-old, remains the main man in the Spanish capital but may be allowed to leave to continue Gareth Bale’s emergence.

United are keen to bring their former superstar back to Old Trafford but Paris remain a constant thorn in their side of their plans. Perez said: “I am not surprised. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and he is the leader of Real Madrid. It's normal that other clubs dream of having him. He is Di Stefano’s heir and he is very happy here, so he is not going to leave Real Madrid. He is the best player in the world and he has to keep playing for the best team in the world."