I am Not a Dictator, Says Louis van Gaal

Manchester United Football Club head coach Louis van Gaal insisted he is not a dictator and revealed that he has changed his methods to adapt to the needs of his squad.

Media reported that senior players, including Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, appealed to van Gaal to change some of his methods around the training ground, but the United coach suggested that he has regular communication with players.

"Believe me, it is like that. I am not a dictator, I am a communicator. All the players are communicating with me. They are coming to my office," van Gaal was quoted as saying by goal.com on Friday.

The Dutchman did admit that Rooney and Carrick had spoken to him regarding dressing room morale, and the 64-year-old confessed that it had been "alarming".

"It's a positive thing that the players are coming to me and not only Carrick or Rooney, other players. It was Carrick and Rooney (who approached him) and that was alarming for me because they are the captains," he said.

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager revealed he had adapted to fit the needs of the United players.

"I have changed the way that I (draw up) the game plan to them. 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," van Gaal said.