Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits approach from unhappy players

MANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted senior players approached him about player unrest - but has an alternative reason they are unhappy.

Van Gaal speaks on United player unrest

MANCHESTER United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that he was approached by captains Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick about dressing room unrest.

Van Gaal, known for his severe disciplinarian streak, denied being a dictator at Old Trafford and insisted he had an excellent relationship with his players despite the approach.

“I am not a dictator, I am a communicator,” van Gaal said ahead of a massive EPL clash against arch enemy Liverpool.

“Rooney and Carrick, the captains, came to me and said, ‘The dressing room is flat – we want to say that to you to help you’. So I communicate not only with my captains who tried to warn me, I went to the dressing-room and tried to communicate with my players. We discussed a lot of aspects.

“I think that I have a superb relationship with my players. Maybe you have to consider how many players are coming to the manager to say something.

“In my career as a manager I didn’t have so many players who are coming to say something about the atmosphere in the dressing-room, about the way we train or something like that. It’s very possible that players are coming to you, then you know they trust you.”

The specific gripe of United players was reportedly van Gaal’s rigid tactical approach at training and in games, which was stifling the squad and affecting morale.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he has not fallen out with his players.

Van Gaal claimed that if there was unrest, it should be blamed on player turnover.

“It was the same last year. The consequence of our philosophy is that we have to refresh the group,” he said.

“Last year we sold and released 11 players. This year 14 players. We bought five or six last year and now six. The whole dressing-room has been changed, can you imagine when your friend must leave? What are your feelings then?

“I can only say that I have a very good relationship with my players. It’s also a little bit logical now because there are only nine players left of the group, the other players I have bought and they won’t say that I’m a lousy manager.

‘The fans are shouting every week, ‘Louis van Gaal’s army! Louis van Gaal’s army!’ So the fans and players are very satisfied with me.’

Originally published as Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits approach from unhappy players