Intro:

Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal strenuously rejected any idea of there being a rift between himself and his assistant Ryan Giggs and sid that he believes his defender Jonny Evans did not deliberately spit at Newcastle's Papiss Cisse on Thursday (5th March), as he looked ahead to Monday's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Louis van Gaal, Manchester United coach:

(on speaking with Jonny Evans over the 'spitting' incident with Papiss Cisse during the match with Newcastle United)

"Of course, I have spoken with Jonny Evans, so maybe because of that I am late, but yeah, it's like what I have said in the press conference after the match. He was not aware that he was spitting and when he was spitting on the ground, maybe that is a natural something from a human being, I think. It was not his intention and... there, what I have said already, I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans could do that and yeah, he has said that also, so i believe him, so for me the matter has done."

SOUNDBITE (English) Louis van Gaal, Manchester United coach:

Question: 'Is it a good working relationship between yourself and Ryan?'

No, no... because I am very irritated because of this question because everybody can see we have a very good relationship. We work very hard together, not only with Ryan but with all the staff, with the players. I think it is a way of suggesting things. So then I am very irritated and then I take my measures against the media. I am not pleased."