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| Louis van Gaal has admitted he held talks with Wayne Rooney over a 'flat' dressing-room |
LOUIS VAN GAAL hit back at suggestions of a dressing-room revolt at Manchester United just hours after David de Gea had buried the hatchet with him.
Van Gaal insisted he is "a communicator, not a dictator" as goalkeeper De Gea responded to the collapse of his move to Real Madrid by signing a lucrative new four-year contract with United - with an option for a fifth - worth around £50million.
Van Gaal admitted that skipper Wayne Rooney and vice-captain Michael Carrick had been to seen him after the opening day win over Tottenham to voice their concerns over a 'flat' dressing-room atmosphere.
He says he acted swiftly by having a clear-the-air with his squad and insists the spirit has improved since.
"Rooney and Carrick warned me that the dressing room is flat," he said. "It is alarming when your captains come to see you and that's why I went to the dressing room and discussed a lot of aspects with the players - but not what some people have said.
"I have a superb relationship with my players. It's a positive that all the players are coming to see me in my office and they trust me. I am a communicator, not a dictator.
"Some players have come to me to apologise about what has been said this week. I have said after every game the spirit was fantastic. You can see it on the pitch."
Spain No1 De Gea was left out of the first six matches of the season because of the transfer saga with Real but says he is now mentally and physically ready to return to the team for the clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford today.
"Yes, there was lots of speculation this summer," he said. "It was a difficult summer, it is true, but I kept my focus, I kept calm and kept working hard.
"Now I am relaxed, I am happy here. It's the perfect moment to come back - at Old Trafford and against Liverpool. I've trained really hard, I played with my national team [in midweek] and I feel ready and 100 per cent fit."
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