Veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs was on Tuesday appointed interim manager of Manchester United, shortly after the club announced the sacking of David Moyes.

“Following the departure of David Moyes as manager, Manchester United has announced that Ryan Giggs, the club’s most decorated player, will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made,” read a statement on the United website.

“The club will make no further comment on this process until it is concluded.”

Giggs, 40, made his United debut in March 1991 and has made a record 962 appearances for the club, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups, four League Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.

He has no previous managerial experience, but has combined his role as a player with a position on United’s coaching staff since the start of the current campaign.

The Welshman, Britain’s most decorated player, was informed of the news after arriving at United’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning.

His first game at the helm will be a home fixture against Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday, which will be followed by matches against Sunderland, Hull City and Southampton.

Louis van Gaal, the current Netherlands coach, has been installed as the favourite to succeed Moyes on a permanent basis by British bookmakers.

However, Jurgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund, another rumoured contender, has already ruled himself out of the running.

Klopp told British newspaper The Guardian: “Man United is a great club and I feel very familiar with their wonderful fans. But my commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the people is not breakable.”

Moyes was dismissed earlier on Tuesday after a desperate debut campaign at United, who have fallen 23 points below league leaders Liverpool and can no longer qualify for next season’s Champions League.