Tempers rising within the Manchester United camp.
Louis van Gaal has returned United to the Champions League and the upper echelons of the Premier League, but not everyone is happy about his methods.
While pundits and fans might bemoan the side’s steady tempo, possession-hungry playing style, the Dutchman will point to four wins and a draw from his opening six games of the season.
United have scored only three league goals, however, and only one from a player (Juan Mata) still at the club.
For three of the opening four matches, United have registered the most passes but few of them have been telling.
Concerned about a lack of incision and verve in their play, The Times reports that a group of senior United players confronted van Gaal about his training methods.
The players felt their manager’s insistence on rigid training structures has impacted on the side’s ‘creativity and flexibility’.
It also reported that the players are unhappy with how Rafael was treated by the Dutchman and also the level of involvement of video analyst Max Reckers.
The mini revolt is said to have occurred before the international break and close of the transfer window.
Since then, van Gaal has sold Javier Hernandez (a striker), Anders Lindegaard (goalkeeper), loaned out Adnan Januzaj (winger) and brought in a promising yet inexperienced striker, in Anthony Martial, for a whopping £36m.
Another training ground chat might be in order.
