Phil Neville looks set to leave Manchester United's back room staff, with the club understood to be clearing the way before Louis van Gaal's expected appointment as manager. While United insisted on Tuesday that neither Neville nor the goalkeeping coach, Chris Woods, had been sacked, it is understood that Neville's future will be decided by the end of the week while Woods has been told he has no role at Old Trafford.

Both coaches were retained when David Moyes was dismissed last month but, according to reports, they have since been told by Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, that they will not be part of the new regime. Ryan Giggs, however, is expected to be part of the next manager's staff.

Van Gaal is preparing his Holland squad for this summer's World Cup and, while his appointment is set to be formally announced this week, he will not take over at Old Trafford until after the tournament in Brazil.

Neville and Woods – who both moved to Old Trafford from Everton with Moyes at the start of the season – were both reported to have been informed of their fates on the same afternoon that Rio Ferdinand was told he would not be offered a contract extension.