It has been like drawing blood from a stone but, today, Louis van Gaal let the guard down.
As much as the Manchester United manager insists he will not discuss transfer targets, the plucky media keep asking about them.
Three days after describing one journalist's transfer-related features as "rubbish", the Dutchman was peppered with queries on comings and goings at the club.
By revealing, at the weekend,
that United were looking at a "surprise" striker, surnames like Cavani, Bale and Llorente have been linked with the club. Others suggest Juan Mata, Memphis Depay or Adnan Januzaj may be transformed into a No.10.
Pressed on this surprise signing, LVG sprinkled out some more information.
'He is in the process,' said the United boss.
'It's not the striker the media has written about. You have to wait and see. The transfer period is open until the September 1, so we have to wait.'
With thank chink of light into United's transfer dealings, another brave soul asked about the club's pursuit of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
Van Gaal said, 'I cannot talk about these rumours. I have said in a lot of press conferences that it's a process. Maybe Mr Ramos is in the process - you never know.'
The other highlights of the press briefing, in San Jose, were Van Gaal telling journalists he did not have to reveal player injuries, and [go to 14:00] his hash of Chris Smalling's name.
'Mike Smalling' laughed the mistake off.
