Louis van Gaal confirms Man United squad’s concern at management style but insists: ‘I am no dictator’

Louis van Gaal has revealed Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick have spoken to him about the squad's concerns over his man-management style. Jason Cairnduff / Reuters

Louis van Gaal says his decision to listen to the demands of his Manchester United players proves he is not a dictator.

After accusations of rifts and a player mutiny in the Old Trafford dressing room, United manager van Gaal came out fighting at his weekly press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash against Liverpool.

The 64-year-old said Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick came to him after the opening match of the season against Tottenham to air their concerns about morale within a squad frustrated by his man-management methods and training techniques.

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But van Gaal insisted he wasn’t angry with his players and claimed he was happy Rooney and Carrick came forward because his working practices have now improved for the better.

“It’s a positive thing that the players are coming to me and not only Carrick or Rooney, other players,” van Gaal said.

“But now it was Carrick and Rooney and that was alarming for me because they are the captains. That’s why I went to the dressing room.

“But all the players are communicating with me. They are coming to my office. Believe me, it is like that. I am not a dictator — I am a communicator.

“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.

“I went to the dressing room, analysed the situation for them to give it a place. After that the atmosphere was much better and after that we won again.”

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