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| Louis van Gaal defended his methods and denied a dressing-room revolt |
IF preparing to face Liverpool wasn't enough, Louis van Gaal found himself having to mount a robust defence of his managerial methods yesterday.
He has been stung by suggestions that he is facing a dressing-room revolt at Manchester United and dismissed the widely held perception that he is an authoritarian.
The outspoken Dutchman insists he is always prepared to listen - and learn - even if he ends up deciding his way his best.
"I am a communicator, not a dictator," he said.
Van Gaal then revealed the background to suggestions of munity in the camp.
He said 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, rather than his notoriously demanding training sessions and endless squad meetings.
Van Gaal pointed to the high-turnover of players in his first turbulent 12 months in charge at Old Trafford - he has bought 13 players and discarded more than 20 - as one factor, plus the uncertainty over the futures of goalkeepers David de Gea and Victor Valdes as another.
He acted quickly by talking with his squad after that first game and insists the spirit has improved since.
"Rooney and Carrick came to me and said the dressing room is flat," he said. "They warned me that to help me. 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 analysed that 'flat' atmosphere as part of the transfer window. Players have left who have friends here and then we had problems with Valdes, then we had problems with the transfer of De Gea, who has a great influence in the dressing room, which is why it was flat.
"But it's a positive that all the players - not just the captains - are coming to see me in my office and they trust me. Believe me, it is like that.
"I can say only that I have a superb relationship with my players. It is logical now that only nine are left from the initial group [that he inherited]. The others I have bought wlll not say I am a lousy manager.
"The fans are shouting every week, 'Louis van Gaal's Army.' They are very satisfied and the players are satisfied. 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."
Van Gaal provided an insight into his detailed preparation for matches and admitted that he had amended his approach to make things easier for his players.
He said: "I have read there are a lot of meetings and, yeah, that's the philosophy.
"That you have to make an analysis of the opponents, then you need a meeting to show that. Then you have to make a game-plan, then you have to hold a meeting about the game-plan. Then you have to practice. Then we have to discuss with the players, on the pitch, how they feel. And maybe we have to change.
"And when they have good arguments, we change. And then we play the match. And then we have to see how they play. And then I have to say something at half-time and then I can change, then we have an evaluation meeting.
"So when you have professional behaviour, you should know there are a lot of meetings. And we are working at the most commercial club in the world, so we have also a lot of commercial activities.
"Yes, I have changed the way that I say the game plan to them, for example. Now I ask in advance and they can say what they want. Most of the strategy is always the same because they like the way we have done it."
Van Gaal denied suggestions that he did not give his players another free time but reminded them that they are privileged to be a highly paid footballers with one of the world's most iconic clubs and sacrifices have to be made.
"I give more free days than ever, more free days than last year," he said. "That's why I listen to my players. I see that they have to work a lot, plus the commercial activities they have to do.
"But it is still better than every other job because, as a player, you can work with your hobby or you have to change to a professional attitude."
One thing is for sure, if United beat their old foes today, all will be sweetness and light in the dressing room.
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