BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER is predicting a "special season" at Old Trafford as Jose Mourinho edges closer to becoming Manchester United manager.
Louis van Gaal's uncomfortable two-year residency came to an end on Monday, with FA Cup success not enough to mask poor Barclays Premier League performances in terms of style and substance.
United just missed out on a top-four place to neighbours Manchester City, meaning the Europa League rather than Champions League now awaits.
Mourinho will have the task of reviving the Red Devils' ailing fortunes with talks ongoing after his agent Jorge Mendes met executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, in London on Tuesday.
Intricacies such as image rights are believed to be being worked on, but it still appears a case of when rather than if the deal is announced.
Mourinho, former manager of Chelsea, described United as a "monster club" last October and midfielder Schweinsteiger is excited by his impending arrival at Old Trafford.
"We don't know who will be our new manager yet, but it looks like it's going to be an interesting derby in Manchester next season," the Germany captain said, with Pep Guardiola arriving at the Etihad Stadium.
"The enthusiasm for football in Manchester is great and, if Mourinho does take over at United, I think all of the players want to train under him, so it's going to be quite a special season."
Schweinsteiger is understandably excited by the future under the self-styled 'Special One', but also keen to express his gratitude to Van Gaal after being brought to Old Trafford by him last summer following a spell together at Bayern Munich.
"I think Louis van Gaal and I have a very special relationship. He moved me into the centre of the midfield at Bayern and I've got a lot to thank him for," said the German.
"Also, my move to United was because of him. I will never say any bad words about somebody for whom I have so much to thank.
"Quite the opposite. Even if we were not always of the same opinion, we had a good relationship. I admire him as a coach and, despite a difficult season with really much misfortune with injuries, he still ended it with a good title.”
Whether the FA Cup triumph against Crystal Palace is also the end of Ryan Giggs' United connection remains to be seen.
The position of United's most decorated player is uncertain, with reports suggesting the former winger is considering ending his near 29-year association with the club.
Giggs is understood to have an offer to stay on at United, although it is unclear what that role would be, having been assistant to Van Gaal.
Paul Scholes, the former Manchester United midfielder, would be disappointed to see Giggs go.
"If Ryan wants to go away and manage, I'm sure he'd be very good at, it but I'd be sad if he left the club after more than 20 years. He knows how the club works. I think it is important there is some kind of continuity.”
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